Inter reference picture set signaling and prediction on an electronic device

ABSTRACT

A previously signaled reference picture set (RPS) corresponding to a current picture is indicated. A first flag for a picture in the previously signaled RPS is set if the picture is to be used as a reference picture for the current picture. A bitstream is sent.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/655,385, entitled “INTER REFERENCE PICTURE SET SIGNALING AND PREDICTION ON AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE” filed on Jun. 4, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein, in its entirety.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/355,472, entitled “DECODING A PICTURE BASED ON A REFERENCE PICTURE SET ON AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE” filed on Jan. 20, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/354,277, entitled “REDUCING REFERENCE PICTURE SET SIGNAL OVERHEAD ON AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE,” filed on Jan. 19, 2012, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein, in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to electronic devices. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to inter reference picture set prediction and signaling on an electronic device.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices have become smaller and more powerful in order to meet consumer needs and to improve portability and convenience. Consumers have become dependent upon electronic devices and have come to expect increased functionality. Some examples of electronic devices include desktop computers, laptop computers, cellular phones, smart phones, media players, integrated circuits, etc.

Some electronic devices are used for processing and displaying digital media. For example, portable electronic devices now allow for digital media to be consumed at almost any location where a consumer may be. Furthermore, some electronic devices may provide download or streaming of digital media content for the use and enjoyment of a consumer.

The increasing popularity of digital media has presented several problems. For example, efficiently representing high-quality digital media for storage, transmittal and playback presents several challenges. As can be observed from this discussion, systems and methods that represent digital media more efficiently may be beneficial.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of one or more electronic devices in which systems and methods for reducing reference picture set (RPS) signal overhead may be implemented;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating one configuration of a group of pictures (GOP);

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating one configuration of an encoder on an electronic device;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of a method for reducing RPSsignal overhead on an electronic device;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a more specific configuration of a method for reducing RPSsignal overhead on an electronic device;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating another more specific configuration of a method for reducing RPSsignal overhead on an electronic device;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating one configuration of a decoder on an electronic device;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of method for reducing RPSsignal overhead on an electronic device;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of a method for deriving a partial RPS on an electronic device;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of a method for deriving an RPS template on an electronic device;

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of a method for creating an indication to delete at least one reference picture on an electronic device;

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of a method for deleting at least one reference picture on an electronic device;

FIG. 13 illustrates various components that may be utilized in an electronic device;

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of a method for decoding a picture on an electronic device;

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram illustrating a more specific configuration of a method for decoding a picture on an electronic device;

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram illustrating another more specific configuration of a method decoding a picture on an electronic device;

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of a method for signaling a reference picture set on an electronic device;

FIG. 18 is a flow diagram illustrating another configuration of a method for signaling a reference picture set on an electronic device;

FIG. 19 is a flow diagram illustrating a more specific configuration of a method for signaling a reference picture set on an electronic device;

FIG. 20 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of a method for predicting a reference picture set on an electronic device;

FIG. 21 is a flow diagram illustrating another configuration of a method for predicting a reference picture set on an electronic device; and

FIG. 22 is a flow diagram illustrating a more specific configuration of a method for predicting a reference picture set on an electronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A method for signaling a reference picture set on an electronic device is described. A previously signaled reference picture set (RPS) corresponding to a current picture is indicated. A first flag for a picture in the previously signaled RPS is set if the picture is a reference picture for the current picture. A bitstream is sent.

A used by current picture flag for a current RPS may not be sent. The previously signaled RPS may be signaled as an index indicating a set of previously signaled RPSs.

The corresponding value may be a used by current picture flag value of a second reference picture in the previously signaled RPS. The previously signaled RPS may be indicated by a predicted short-term reference picture set present flag. The previously signaled RPS may include a corresponding value of another reference picture in the previously signaled RPS.

The first flag may be a keep picture flag. The keep picture flag may be use_delta_flag[ ] or keep_pic_flag[ ]. The first flag may indicate that a corresponding picture associated with the first flag in a candidate short-term RPS is included in the previously signaled RPS.

The current picture may be in a first group of pictures (GOP) after a random access point. The previously signaled RPS may be signaled via a delete operation. The previously signaled RPS may be sent from a picture parameter set (PPS), a sequence parameter set (SPS), an adaptation parameter set (APS), a video parameter set (VPS) or a slice header (SH).

An electronic device for signaling a reference picture set is also described. The electronic device includes a processor and executable instructions stored in memory that is in electronic communication with the processor. The electronic device indicates a previously signaled reference picture set (RPS) corresponding to a current picture. The electronic device also sets a first flag for a picture in the previously signaled RPS if the picture is a reference picture for the current picture. The electronic device further sends a bitstream. In some configurations, the electronic device further does not set a first flag for a picture in the previously signaled RPS if the picture is not to be used as a reference picture for the current picture.

A method for decoding a reference picture set on an electronic device is also described. A bitstream is obtained. A current picture is obtained. A previously signaled reference picture set (RPS) is obtained. For a picture in the previously signaled RPS, a first flag indication is obtained if the picture is a reference picture for the current picture. If the first flag is positive, a second flag from a corresponding value of the previously signaled RPS is determined. The current picture is decoded.

Decoding the current picture may be based on the second flag. The first flag may be a keep picture flag. The keep picture flag may be use_delta_flag[ ] or keep_pic_flag[ ]. The first flag may indicate that a corresponding picture associated with the first flag in a candidate short-term RPS is included in the previously signaled RPS.

The second flag may be a used by current picture flag. The electronic device may not receive a used by current picture flag for a current RPS. The electronic device may not receive a used by current picture flag for a current RPS.

The corresponding value may be obtained from the previously signaled RPS. The corresponding value may be a used by current picture flag value of a second reference picture in the previously signaled RPS. The corresponding value may be a Boolean value.

The current picture may be in a first group of pictures (GOP) after a random access point. The previously signaled RPS may be signaled via a delete operation. The previously signaled RPS may be obtained from a picture parameter set (PPS), a sequence parameter set (SPS), an adaptation parameter set (APS), a video parameter set (VPS) or a slice header (SH).

An electronic device for decoding a reference picture set is also described. The electronic device includes a processor and executable instructions stored in memory that is in electronic communication with the processor. The electronic device obtains a bitstream. The electronic device also obtains a current picture. The electronic device further obtains a previously signaled reference picture set (RPS). For a picture in the previously signaled RPS, the electronic device obtains a first flag indication if the picture is a reference picture for the current picture. If the first flag is positive, the electronic device determines a second flag from a corresponding value of the previously signaled RPS. The electronic device additionally decodes the current picture.

The systems and methods disclosed herein describe several configurations for reducing reference picture set (RPS) signal overhead on an electronic device. For example, the systems and methods disclosed herein describe encoding and decoding an RPS. For instance, several approaches for decoding an RPS are described. Additionally, approaches for encoding an RPS to achieve reduced signal overhead are also described.

An RPS is a set of reference pictures associated with a picture. An RPS may include reference pictures that are prior to the associated picture in decoding order that may be used for inter prediction of the associated picture and/or for any picture following the associated picture in decoding order. An RPS describes one or more reference pictures in the decoded picture buffer (DPB). This is accomplished in the slice header of each picture. Previous video coding standards, such as H.264/AVC referenced reference pictures in a relative manner. Any pictures in the DPB that are not a part of the reference picture set may be marked as “unused for reference.”

A DPB may be used to store reconstructed (e.g., decoded) pictures at a decoder. These stored pictures may then be used, for example, in an inter-prediction mechanism. When pictures are decoded out of order, the pictures may be stored in the DPB so they can be displayed later in order. Also, a picture in the DPB may be associated with a picture order count (POC). The POC may be a variable that is associated with each encoded picture and that has a value that increases with increasing picture position in an output order. In other words, the POC may be used by the decoder to deliver the pictures in the correct order for display. The POC may also be used for identification of reference pictures during reference picture list construction and decoded reference picture marking.

In some configurations, reference pictures are referenced using either relative (e.g., delta) referencing (using a deltaPOC and a currentPOC, for example) or absolute referencing (using the POC, for example). For instance, the DPB may include a set of received pictures. A subset of these received pictures may use relative (e.g., delta) referencing and the remaining received pictures may use absolute referencing. It should be noted that one or more of the configurations of buffer descriptions and syntaxes described herein may be implemented in combination with one or more of the approaches (e.g., methods) described herein.

An RPS may include a list of information of all reference pictures that the decoder shall keep. For example, this information may be stored as a set of indexes called deltaPOCs. A deltaPOC may be used to calculate the POC of a reference picture. For instance, POC_reference=POC_current+deltaPOC. In other words, by using the current POC of the picture to be decoded and the deltaPOC of a reference picture, the reference picture may be located in a relative manner. Additionally an RPS may store a temporal ID for each reference picture and/or a flag which indicates if the particular reference picture is used by the current picture.

An example of how an RPS works at on an electronic device follows. Suppose an Inter-frame (I-frame) picture is received followed two bidirectional predicted (B-frame) pictures, then followed by two bidirectional predicted (b-frame) pictures. A B-frame is a bidirectional predicted picture that is used for prediction by other pictures. A b-frame is a bidirectional predicted picture that is not used for prediction by other pictures.

In other words, the order of receiving the pictures is I₀-B₁-B₂-b₁-b₂. In this example, the GOP size is 4.

Further suppose that the I-frame has a POC of 0, the first received b-frame has a POC of 1, the second received B-frame has a POC of 2, the first received b-frame has a POC of 3 and the first received B-frame has a POC of 4. In other words, the POC order is I₀-b₁-B₂-b₂-B₁. Additionally, suppose that the I-frame serves as a reference picture for B₁, B₂ and b₁; B₁ serves as a reference picture for B₂, and b₂; and B₂ serves as a reference picture for b₁ and b₂.

In this example, the second picture in decoding order (e.g., picture B₁/POC 4) will include picture of POC 0 (e.g., I₀) in its RPS. To store I₀/POC 0, B₁ may write deltaPOC=−4 into its RPS index value. In other words, the difference of the reference POC relative to current POC is stored in the RPS as an index value.

The third picture in decoding order (i.e., picture B₂/POC 2) will include pictures of POC 0 and POC 4 (e.g., B1) in its RPS. Thus, the index values of deltaPOC=−2 and 2 are stored in its RPS.

Continuing the example, the fourth picture in decoding order (i.e., picture b₂/POC 1) may include both pictures of POC 0 (e.g., I₀) and POC 2 (e.g., B₂) in its RPS. Further, b₂/POC 1 may also include POC 4 (e.g., B₁) since that picture will be used for reference in the future. Here, deltaPOCs −1, 1, and 3 are stored in its RPS. It should be noted that both positive and negative deltaPOCs may be stored in an RPS.

Finishing this example, the 5th picture in decoding order ((i.e., picture b₁/POC 3) may include pictures of POC 2 (e.g., B₂) and POC 4 (e.g., B₁) in its RPS. Thus, deltaPOC=−1 and 1 are the relative values stored in b₁'s RPS as index values. It may also be noted that b1 does not need to include POC 0 (e.g., I₀) in its RPS unless I₀ is going to be used for reference in the future. If POC 0 (e.g., I₀) is not included in the RPS of the b₁, it may be marked as “unused for reference.”

Once an RPS has been listed and constructed, it is ready to be signaled. There are various ways to signal an RPS. According to one approach, a set of templates associated with handling RPSs are signaled in the picture parameter set (PPS) and referred to by each slice with an RPS index in a slice header. Under another method, an RPS may be signaled explicitly in a slice header.

Listing (1) below shows one example of syntax for signaling the RPS in the PPS.

Listing (1) /* Reference picture set syntax for when the RPS is signaled in the PPS /* Descriptors used in all listings: ue(v): Unsigned integer, entropy coded variable length u(x): Unsigned x-bit(s) integer */ pic_parameter_set ( ) { pic_parameter_set_id seq_paramater_set_id entropy_coding_mode_flag num_ref_pic_sets for(idx=0; idx < num_ref_pic_sets_idx++) ref_pic_set(idx) ... } ref_pic_set(idx){ num_negative_pics num_positive_pics for(i = 0; i < num_negative_pics; i++){ delta_poc_s0_minus1[i] used_by_curr_pic_s0_flag[i] } for(i = 0; i < num_positive_pics; i++){ delta_poc_s1_minus1[i] used_by_curr_pic_s1_flag[i] } }

partial_ref_pic_set_flag[i] indicates to use full RPS [i] to generate a partial RPS. ref_flag specifies which reference index of the full RPS [i] is copied into the partial RPS.

seq_parameter_set_id identifies the sequence parameter set that is referred to by the picture parameter set. The value of seq_parameter_set_id shall be in the range of 0 to 31, inclusive.

pic_parameter_set_id identifies the picture parameter set that is referred to in the slice header. The value of pic_parameter_set_id shall be in the range of 0 to 255, inclusive. entropy_coding_mode_flag indicates the entropy decoding method to be applied for the syntax elements.

num_ref_pic_sets specifies the number of reference picture sets that are specified in the picture parameter set. num_negative_pics specifies the number of the following delta_poc_s0_minus1[i] and used_by_curr_pic_s0_flag[i] syntax elements. num_positive_pics specifies the number of the following delta_poc_s1_minus1[i] and used_by_curr_pic_s1_flag1[i] syntax elements. delta_poc_s0_minus1[i] plus 1 specifies an absolute difference between two picture order count values.

used_by_curr_pic_s0_flag[i] equal to 0 specifies that the i-th reference picture that has picture order count less than that of the current picture is not used for reference by the current picture. delta_poc_s1_minus1[i] plus 1 specifies an absolute difference between two picture order count values. used_by_curr_pic_s1_flag[i] equal to 0 specifies that the i-th reference picture that has picture order count greater than that of the current picture is not used for reference by the current picture.

It should be noted that the definitions given for parameters used in Listing (1) may be applied to all listings given herein. Furthermore, parameter definitions be given in subsequent listings may also apply to previously listed listings.

Listing (2) shows one example of syntax for signaling the RPS in a slice header.

Listing (2) /* Syntax for signaling the RPS in a slice header. */ slice_header ( ) { ... if(IdrPicFlag){ ... } else { ... ref_pic_set_pps_flag if(!ref_pic_set_pps_flag) ref_pic_set(num_ref_pic_sets) else ref_pic_set_idx ... } }

ref_pic_set_pps_flag equal to 1 specifies that the reference picture set of the current picture shall be created using syntax elements in the active picture parameter set. ref_pic_set_pps_flag equal to 0 specifies that the reference picture set of the current picture shall be created using syntax elements in the ref_pic_set( ) syntax structure in the slice header.

ref_pic_set_pps_idx specifies the index to the list of reference picture sets specified in the active picture parameter set that shall be used for creation of the reference picture set of the current picture.

Further, RPS templates may be signaled to a decoder to assist in decoding a picture. Templates may be for a Random Access common test condition where eight pictures are grouped together (e.g., group of pictures (GOP)). Table (1) below shows an RPS template for Random Access common test condition (GOP=8). Some terms have been abbreviated for convenience in Tables (1)-(4). These terms are abbreviated as follows: Temporal_id (TId), ref_buf_size (RBS) and RPS Index Values (RPS Index Values).

TABLE (1) RPS RPS Idx # Type POC TId RBS ref_pic #ref_pics Values 1: B 8 0 4 1 4 −8 −10 −12 −16 2: B 4 0 2 1 3 −4 −6 4 3: B 2 0 2 1 4 −2 −4 2 6 4: B 1 0 2 0 4 −1 1 3 7 5: B 3 0 2 0 4 −1 −3 1 5 6: B 6 0 2 1 4 −2 −4 −6 2 7: B 5 0 2 0 4 −1 −5 1 3 8: B 7 0 2 0 4 −1 −3 −7 1

In Table (1), Type signifies the type of frame used. In this case, all Frames are B-frames. Note, Frame 0, which is not shown, is an I-frame. In Table (1), Temporal_id (TId) specifies the temporal layer ID of this frame, ref_buf_size (RBS) is the reference buffer size needed by the current picture, ref_pic indicates if the frame is a reference picture for other pictures, #ref_pics is the number of reference pictures and RPS Index Values (RPS Idx Values) represent the index values of the reference pictures stored in each RPS for each corresponding frame.

An additional partial RPS may be generated for frames that have one or more unavailable reference pictures due to instantaneous decoding refresh (IDR) or clean random access (CRA). Table (2) shows a template for a partial RPS generated for a Random Access common test condition.

TABLE (2) RPS RPS Idx # Type POC TId RBS ref_pic #ref_pics Values 1: B 8 0 4 1 1 −8 2: B 4 0 2 1 2 −4 4 3: B 2 0 2 1 3 −2 2 6

A partial RPS may be created from a full RPS. In Table (1), the RPS index for Frame 1 is −8. −10, −12 and −16. The RPS index for the partial RPS for Frame 1 in Table (2) is only −8. Similarly, Frames 2 and 3 in the partial RPS have a lesser number of reference pictures in Table (2) than in the full RPSshown in Table (1). Thus, in this example, a partial RPS contains fewer RPS index values per frame than a full RPS.

Table (3) shows the template for a Low Delay common test condition, where GOP equals 4.

TABLE (3) RPS RPS Idx # Type POC TId RBS ref_pic #ref_pics Values 1 B 1 0 4 1 4 −1 −5 −9 −13 2 B 2 0 4 1 4 −1 −2 −6 −10 3 B 3 0 4 1 4 −1 −3 −7 −11 4 B 4 0 4 1 4 −1 −4 −8 −12

In Table (3), each GOP has four pictures. In the template, there are also four RPSs that correspond to pictures at each POC position:

RPS[0], which has index values of [−1, −5, −9, −13] for POC 1;

RPS[1], which has index values of [−1 −2 −6 −10] for POC 2;

RPS[2], which has index values of [−1, −3, −7, −11] for POC 3; and

RPS[3], which has index values of [−1, −4, −8, −12] for POC 4; for a sequence 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, etc.

Table (4) shows a template for a partial RPS generated for a Low Delay common test condition. Table (4) is a continuation of Table (3).

TABLE (4) RPS Idx RPS# Type POC TId RBS ref_pic #ref_pics Values 5 B 1 0 4 1 1 −1 6 B 2 0 4 1 2 −1 −2 7 B 3 0 4 1 3 −1 −2 −3 8 B 4 0 4 1 4 −1 −2 −3 −4 9 B 1 0 4 1 4 −1 −2 −3 −5 10 B 2 0 4 1 4 −1 −2 −3 −6 11 B 3 0 4 1 4 −1 −2 −3 −7 12 B 4 0 4 1 4 −1 −2 −4 −8 13 B 1 0 4 1 4 −1 −2 −5 −9

In Table (4), additional index references are generated for frames that have unavailable reference pictures. A reference picture may be unavailable due to IDR or CRA. When generating a partial RPS for the Low Delay common test case, pictures for the first few frames in the GOP after an IDR or CRA are selected. For example, Frames 1 to 4 at start of a sequence belong to the first GOP, it will use partial RPS[5] to RPS[8], which are derived from RPS[0] to RPS [3]. Frames 5 to 8 belong to the second GOP and will use partial RPS[9] to RPS[12,] which are also derived from RPS[0] to RPS[3]. Frame 9 belongs to the third GOP and will use partial RPS[13] which is derived from RPS [0].

In some configurations, the electronic device deriving the partial RPS may employ rules to derive partial the RPS from the full RPS. For example, RPS Numbers 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 13 may all add the RPS index value −2 (indicated in bold). Note that this RPS index value is relative and is dependent on the current frame position (e.g., current POC). Further, RPS Numbers 8, 9 and 10 each add the RPS index value of −3 (indicated in bold).

According to known approaches, such as that specified in High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) test model (HM) 5.0, both the full RPS and partial RPS are signaled in the bitstream. For example, RPS templates, including a full RPS and a partial RPS are sent in a PPS at the start of picture. This leads to unnecessary overhead being sent in the bitstream. This overhead of signaling RPS templates in PPS may be from several hundred to several thousands of bits, for example. Further, extra and unnecessary work is also performed at the encoder to generate a partial RPS. Thus, one of the benefits on the systems and methods disclosed herein is that RPSsignaling overhead is reduced by generating partial RPS templates at the decoder side based on a received full RPS.

Also, according to known approaches, such as that specified in HM5.0, within one RPS, reference picture indexes are differentially coded among the negative indexes and among the positive indexes. Thus, it may be beneficial to reduce the number of signaled bits by employing the systems and methods disclosed herein to reduce the number bits for an RPS template. For example, this may be accomplished by reducing the number of bits required to code a list of RPS index values.

The systems and methods disclosed herein may provide one or more additional benefits in reducing RPSsignal overhead. In one configuration, symmetry characteristics of positive and negative reference indexes may be employed to reduce the bits used for coding positive RPS index values (e.g., reference indexes). Under another configuration, a partial RPS may be derived at the decoder rather than sending the partial RPS in the bitstream. Additionally or alternatively, frequently used RPS templates at both the encoder and decoder side may be defined, allowing the template to be signaled by a simple index in the PPS. Additionally or alternatively, a partial RPS may be signaled by referring to a full RPS and deleting some of the reference pictures to arrive at the partial RPS.

Various configurations are now described with reference to the Figures, where like reference numbers may indicate functionally similar elements. The systems and methods as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of several configurations, as represented in the Figures, is not intended to limit scope, as claimed, but is merely representative of the systems and methods.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of one or more electronic devices 102 a-b in which systems and methods for reducing RPSsignal overhead may be implemented. In this example, electronic device A 102 a and electronic device B 102 b are illustrated. However, it should be noted that one or more of the features and functionality described in relation to electronic device A 102 a and electronic device B 102 b may be combined into a single electronic device in some configurations.

Electronic device A 102 a includes an encoder 104 and an RPS index initializer module (initializer module) 108. Each of the elements included within electronic device A 102 a (e.g., the encoder 104 and the initializer module 108) may be implemented in hardware, software or a combination of both.

Electronic device A 102 a may obtain an input picture 106. In some configurations, the input picture 106 may be captured on electronic device A 104 a using an image sensor, retrieved from memory and/or received from another electronic device.

The encoder 104 may encode the input picture 106 to produce encoded data. For example, the encoder 104 may encode a series of input pictures 106 (e.g., video). In one configuration, the encoder 104 may be a HEVC encoder. The encoded data may be digital data (e.g., a bitstream). The encoder 104 may generate overhead signaling based on the input signal.

The initializer module 108 may be used in processing RPS index values. For example, the initializer module 108 may initialize values used in the processing of positive reference pictures. This data may be recorded in a PPS and an index to it may be signaled in the slice header of a picture.

More detail on kinds of initializations that may be produced by electronic device A 102 a is given below. It should be noted that the initializer module 108 may be included within the encoder 104 in some configurations. The initializer module 108 may enable reduced RPSsignaling overhead.

The encoder 104 (and initializer module 108, for example) may produce a bitstream 114. The bitstream 114 may include encoded picture data based on the input picture 106. In some configurations, the bitstream 114 may also include overhead data, such as slice header information, PPS information, etc. More detail on overhead data is given below. As additional input pictures 106 are encoded, the bitstream 114 may include one or more encoded pictures. For instance, the bitstream 114 may include one or more encoded reference pictures and/or other pictures.

The bitstream 114 may be provided to a decoder 112. In one example, the bitstream 114 may be transmitted to electronic device B 102 b using a wired or wireless link. In some cases, this may be done over a network, such as the Internet or a Local Area Network (LAN). As illustrated in FIG. 1, the decoder 112 may be implemented on electronic device B 102 b separately from the encoder 104 on electronic device A 102 a. However, it should be noted that the encoder 104 and decoder 112 may be implemented on the same electronic device in some configurations. In an implementation where the encoder 104 and decoder 112 are implemented on the same electronic device, for instance, the bitstream 114 may be provided over a bus to the decoder 112 or stored in memory for retrieval by the decoder 112.

The decoder 112 may be implemented in hardware, software or a combination of both. In one configuration, the decoder 112 may be a HEVC decoder. The decoder 112 may receive (e.g., obtain) the bitstream 114. The decoder 112 may generate a decoded picture 118 (e.g., one or more decoded pictures 118) based on the bitstream 114. The decoded picture 118 may be displayed, played back, stored in memory and/or transmitted to another device, etc.

The decoder 112 may include a partial RPS determination module 120, an RPS template module 122 and/or an RPS deletion module 124. The partial RPS determination module 120 may enable the decoder 112 to generate a partial RPS at the decoder. For example, partial RPS determination module 120 may generate a partial RPS based on a full RPS received at the decoder 112. The partial RPS determination module 120 is described in greater detail below.

The RPS template module 122 may create an RPS template based on signals received in the bitstream 114. For example the RPS template module 122 may use a GOP size, a coding structure and rules obtained from the bitstream to create a template. The RPS template module 122 is described in greater detail below.

In some configurations, the RPS deletion module 124 may identify missing reference pictures and send feedback to the encoder 104, signaling that one or more reference pictures are missing. The RPS deletion module 124 may obtain instructions in the bitstream to delete one or more pictures in a current or previously received RPS. In other configurations, an RPS deletion instructions may be received without sending feedback to the encoder. The RPS deletion module 124 is described in greater detail below.

In another example, such as a scalable coding scenario, a bitstream may include pictures of different resolutions. In this example, the reference picture collection may include (e.g., identify) different resolution versions of the same picture.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating one configuration of a group of pictures (GOP) 228. In some configurations, the GOP 228 may be in a hierarchy coding structure, such as Hierarchy B structure with a coding order of minimum decoding delay. For instance, the GOP 228 may be in a hierarchical prediction structure with four dyadic hierarchy stages. It should be noted that the number of pictures in the GOP 228 may be eight (e.g., GOP size=8) in some configurations, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 illustrates one or more pictures 226. In some instances, these pictures may be reference pictures. Each picture 226 may belong to a hierarchy stage. For instance, I-frame pictures 226 may have a base hierarchy stage, such as stage 0. In some cases, the I-frames may be an IDR picture. B-frames may have stages of 1, 2 or 3. In some cases, the stages may correspond to temporal scalability. In other words, as the states increase in number, so does the ability to refine the current picture. In this way, a picture 226 with a lower stage can employ higher corresponding pictures 226 to add clarity and refinement.

The GOP 228 may be ordered by display order or a POC 229. However, the coding order 230 or order in which the pictures are obtained from a bitstream may be different from the POC 229 order.

In some configurations, the pictures 226 in a GOP 228 are ordered in a symmetrical hierarchal pattern. In this type of configuration, the smallest distance to a negative reference picture and a positive reference picture may be the same. That is, the absolute value of positive deltaPOC and negative deltaPOC in RPS are usually the same.

For example, suppose POC 2 is the current POC 231 that indicates a current picture to be decoded. To decode the picture indicated by the current POC 231, one or more of the RPS index values 232 must be obtained. In this example, the picture indicated by the current POC 231 uses pictures indicated by POC 2, POC 4 and POC 6 to be decoded. Rather than using absolute values, the current POC 231 uses relative values stored in an RPS to locate reference pictures. In some cases, the RPS is obtained directly from the slice header in a picture 226. In other cases, the RPS is located in the PPS as signaled from the slice header of the corresponding picture 226. Here, current POC 231 obtains the RPS index values of [−2, 2, 4]. That is, current POC 231 employs deltaPOC 233 a, deltaPOC 233 b and deltaPOC 233 c to decode the picture 226.

In this example, where the current POC is POC 2, the symmetrical hierarchy nature of a GOP 228 may be beneficial in reducing the RPSsignaling overhead. The current POC 231 that has a negative deltaPOC 233 a (e.g., −2) will likely have a corresponding symmetrical positive deltaPOC 233 b (e.g., 2). Using this symmetry, approaches for reducing RPSsignal overhead can be employed. Various such approaches (e.g., methods) are described in greater detail below in connection with FIGS. 5 and 6.

In another example, assuming that the currentPOC is POC 4, then one RPS index value may be deltaPOC −4. Additionally, POC 4 may also have an index value of deltaPOC=4 in its RPS, which refers to the reference picture POC 8. Further RPS reference pictures for currentPOC=POC 4 may be POC 2 and POC 6. Thus, the RPS index values may be [−4, −2, 2, 4].

In yet another example, assuming that the currentPOC is POC 2, then the RPS may include pictures corresponding to POC 0 and POC 4. Additionally, the index value deltaPOC=6 may be stored in its RPS. This is because the RPS index value of deltaPOC=6 refers to a reference picture that may need to be kept in the decoder since it may be used as a reference picture by future pictures. In other words, RPS index values with positive deltaPOC values indicating one or more pictures may need to be kept in the decoder to serve as reference pictures for a future picture that may need to be decoded.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating one configuration of an encoder 304 on an electronic device 302. It should be noted that one or more of the elements illustrated as included within the electronic device 302 may be implemented in hardware, software or a combination of both. For example, the electronic device 302 includes an encoder 304, which may be implemented in hardware, software or a combination of both. For instance, the encoder 304 may be implemented as a circuit, integrated circuit, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), processor in electronic communication with memory with executable instructions, firmware, field-programmable gate array (FPGA), etc., or a combination thereof. In some configurations, the encoder 304 may be a HEVC coder.

The electronic device 302 may include a supplier 334. The supplier 334 may provide picture or image data (e.g., video) as a source 306 to the encoder 304. Examples of the supplier 334 include image sensors, memory, communication interfaces, network interfaces, wireless receivers, ports, etc.

The source 306 may be provided to an intra-frame prediction module and reconstruction buffer 340. The source 306 may also be provided to a motion estimation and motion compensation module 366 and to a subtraction module 346.

The intra-frame prediction module and reconstruction buffer 340 may generate intra mode information 358 and an intra signal 342 based on the source 306 and reconstructed data 380. The motion estimation and motion compensation module 366 may generate inter mode information 368 and an inter signal 344 based on the source 306 and a reference picture buffer 396 signal 398.

The reference picture buffer 396 signal 398 may include data from one or more reference pictures stored in the reference picture buffer 396. The reference picture buffer 396 may also include an RPS index initializer module 308. The initializer module 308 may process reference pictures 226 corresponding to the buffering and list construction of an RPS. In some configurations, the reference picture buffer 396 signal 398 may include data that indicates one or more previous reference pictures sets (RPS) corresponding to the current picture.

The encoder 304 may select between the intra signal 342 and the inter signal 344 in accordance with a mode. The intra signal 342 may be used in order to exploit spatial characteristics within a picture in an intra coding mode. The inter signal 344 may be used in order to exploit temporal characteristics between pictures in an inter coding mode. While in the intra coding mode, the intra signal 342 may be provided to the subtraction module 346 and the intra mode information 358 may be provided to an entropy coding module 360. While in the inter coding mode, the inter signal 344 may be provided to the subtraction module 346 and the inter mode information 368 may be provided to the entropy coding module 360.

Either the intra signal 342 or the inter signal 344 (depending on the mode) is subtracted from the source 306 at the subtraction module 346 in order to produce a prediction residual 348. The prediction residual 348 is provided to a transformation module 350. The transformation module 350 may compress the prediction residual 348 to produce a transformed signal 352 that is provided to a quantization module 354. The quantization module 354 quantizes the transformed signal 352 to produce transformed and quantized coefficients (TQCs) 356.

The TQCs 356 are provided to an entropy coding module 360 and an inverse quantization module 370. The inverse quantization module 370 performs inverse quantization on the TQCs 356 to produce an inverse quantized signal 372 that is provided to an inverse transformation module 374. The inverse transformation module 374 decompresses the inverse quantized signal 372 to produce a decompressed signal 376 that is provided to a reconstruction module 378.

The reconstruction module 378 may produce reconstructed data 380 based on the decompressed signal 376. For example, the reconstruction module 378 may reconstruct (modified) pictures. The reconstructed data 380 may be provided to a deblocking filter 382 and to the intra prediction module and reconstruction buffer 340. The deblocking filter 382 may produce a filtered signal 384 based on the reconstructed data 380.

The filtered signal 384 may be provided to a sample adaptive offset (SAO) module 386. The SAO module 386 may produce SAO information 388 that is provided to the entropy coding module 360 and an SAO signal 390 that is provided to an adaptive loop filter (ALF) 392. The ALF 392 produces an ALF signal 394 that is provided to the reference picture buffer 396. The ALF signal 394 may include data from one or more pictures that may be used as reference pictures.

The entropy coding module 360 may code the TQCs 356 to produce a bitstream 314. Also, the entropy coding module 360 may code the TQCs 356 using Context-Adaptive Variable Length Coding (CAVLC) or Context-Adaptive Binary Arithmetic Coding (CABAC). In particular, the entropy coding module 360 may code the TQCs 356 based on one or more of intra mode information 358, inter mode information 368 and SAO information 388. The bitstream 314 may include coded picture data.

Quantization, involved in video compression such as HEVC, is a lossy compression technique achieved by compressing a range of values to a single quantum value. The quantization parameter (QP) is a predefined scaling parameter used to perform the quantization based on both the quality of reconstructed video and compression ratio. The block type is defined in HEVC to represent the characteristics of a given block based on the block size and its color information. QP, resolution information and block type may be determined before entropy coding. For example, the electronic device 302 (e.g., the encoder 304) may determine the QP, resolution information and block type, which may be provided to the entropy coding module 360.

The entropy coding module 360 may determine the block size based on a block of TQCs 356. For example, block size may be the number of TQCs 356 along one dimension of the block of TQCs. In other words, the number of TQCs 356 in the block of TQCs may be equal to block size squared. For instance, block size may be determined as the square root of the number of TQCs 356 in the block of TQCs. Resolution may be defined as a pixel width by a pixel height. Resolution information may include a number of pixels for the width of a picture, for the height of a picture or both. Block size may be defined as the number of TQCs 356 along one dimension of a 2D block of TQCs.

In some configurations, the bitstream 314 may be transmitted to another electronic device. For example, the bitstream 314 may be provided to a communication interface, network interface, wireless transmitter, port, etc. For instance, the bitstream 314 may be transmitted to another electronic device via LAN, the Internet, a cellular phone base station, etc. The bitstream 314 may additionally or alternatively be stored in memory on the electronic device 302.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of a method 400 for reducing RPSsignal overhead on an electronic device 302. The electronic device 302 may obtain 402 a picture 226. For example, the picture 226 may be received from a supplier 334. In some instances, the picture 226 may be obtained from a remote source.

The picture 226 may be encoded 404. This may be performed, for example, on an encoder 304. The encoder 304 may be an HEVC type encoder 304.

An RPS corresponding to the picture 226 based on an initialized index value may be indicated 406. For example, this indication may be made in the slice header of the picture 226 and/or in the PPS of the picture 226. The initialized value may assist the electronic device 302 in processing the RPS. In some cases, the initialized value may help reduce RPSsignal overhead. In some cases, using the initialized value may result in smaller RPS index values being sent in the bitstream 314, thus reducing overhead. For instance, smaller RPS index values may be represented with fewer bits to reduce overhead. In other cases, using the initialized index value may result in one less RPS index value being sent in the bitstream 314, which also reduces RPSsignaling overhead.

The electronic device 302 may send 408 a bitstream. The bitstream 314 may be sent 408 to the same electronic device 302 and/or a remote device. The bitstream 314 may include the encoded picture and an RPS.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a more specific configuration of a method 500 for reducing RPSsignal overhead on an electronic device 302. In one configuration, the electronic device 302 may obtain 502 a picture 226 and encode 504 the picture 226 as discussed previously.

The electronic device 302 may initialize 506 an index value based on a relative negative RPS parameter. For example, the electronic device 302 may process a reference picture to obtain both negative and positive RPS index values. The positive and negative reference pictures may be processed individually. These processes are shown below in Listing (3).

Listing (3) illustrates syntax of one known method for coding positive RPS index values. Specifically, Listing (3) is designed for processing Random Access Hierarchy B under HM 5.0.

Listing (3) prev = 0; for (j=0; j < num_negative_pics; j++){ write( prev − RPS_deltaPoc(j) − 1); prev = RPS_deltaPoc(j); ... } prev = 0; for (j=0; j < num_positive_pics; j++){ k = num_negative_pics+ j; write(RPS_deltaPoc(k) − prev − 1); prev = RPS_deltaPoc(k); ... }

RPS_deltaPOC refers to the RPS index values. RPS_deltaPOC[0] to RPS_deltaPOC[num_negative_pics−1] stores the negative RPS index values. RPS_deltaPOC[num_negative_pics] to RPS_deltaPOC[num_negative_pics+num_positive_pics−1] stores the positive RPS index values.

Listing (3) illustrates pseudo code for one approach of processing positive RPS index values. For example, an RPS with reference indexes [−2, −4, 2], first codes the negative RPS picture indexes. Then the positive picture indexes are differentially coded. This results in four RPS index values. In processing both the positive and the negative reference RPS index values, the previous index value or “prev” is set to 0. This is always the case when processing the positive RPS index value. prev is initialized independently of the number of negative pictures or any negative RPS parameters. In this example, when the RPS index values are [−2, −4, 2], 9 bits are required to send the RPS index values.

In contrast to Listing (3), the systems and methods disclosed herein describe that an index value may be initialized 506 based on a relative negative RPS parameter. Thus, rather than initializing prev to 0 each time the positive RPS index values are processed, prev is initialized based on a negative RPS parameter. Listing (4) illustrates an example of pseudo code that illustrates this distinction. Modifications to the syntax in accordance with the systems and methods disclosed herein are denoted in bold.

Listing (4) prev = 0; for (j=0; j < num_negative_pics; j++){ write( prev − RPS_deltaPoc(j) − 1); prev = RPS_deltaPoc(j); ... } prev = (smallest absolute value of negative RPS _(—) deltaPoc) − 1; for (j=0; j < num_positive_pics; j++){ k = num_negative_pics+ j; write(RPS_deltaPoc(k) − prev − 1); prev = RPS_deltaPoc(k); ... }

As illustrated in Listing (4), prev may be initialized to the smallest absolute value of negative RPS_deltaPoc minus 1. It should be noted that the terms RPS_deltaPOC and RPS index values may be used interchangeably. The smallest absolute value of negative RPS_deltaPoc is the absolute value of the smallest negative reference picture stored in the RPS index for a current picture. For example, if a current picture contains the relative reference RPS index values of [−4, −6, 4], −4 and −6 are the negative RPS_deltaPoc index values. When the absolute values of each are taken, 4 and 6 are obtained, respectively. Taking the smallest value results in obtaining 4.

In a known approach, RPS_deltaPOC values are arranged in ascending order by absolute value within the negative RPS_deltaPOC index values and within the positive RPS_deltaPOC index values to ensure that the difference values coded are not negative. This allows for less bits when coding because negative numbers are avoided. In general, a negative number takes more bits to code than a positive bit that is the absolute value of the same negative number. Under this approach, the smallest absolute value of negative RPS_deltaPoc may be located at RPS_deltaPoc(0).

Applying this example, prev=(smallest absolute value of negative RPS_deltaPoc)−1, prev=(4)−1=3. In another example where the smallest absolute value of negative of RPS_deltaPoc is 5, prev would equal 4. Thus, the prev index value may be dependent on a negative RPS parameter value such as the smallest absolute value of negative of RPS_deltaPoc.

Using the initialized value, the electronic device 302 may process 508 a positive number of pictures based on the index value. In one example, suppose a current picture has an RPS reference index values of [−2, −4, 2]. When the positive reference pictures are processed and prev is initialized to the smallest absolute value of negative of RPS_deltaPoc, prev equals 1 (e.g., (|−2|)−1=1). To process the first positive value (e.g., 2), RPS_deltaPoc(k)−prev−1 is employed. RPS_deltaPoc(k) equals the value of the first positive RPS index value to be processed. In this example, RPS_deltaPoc(k) equals 2. prev equals 1, as shown above. Thus, RPS_deltaPoc(k)−prev−1=2−1−1=0.

This processing results in a coding of [−2, −4, 0] rather than [−2, −4, 2]. Thus, 8 bits rather than 9 bits are required and overhead is reduced. Due to the symmetrical nature of the coding structure, initializing the index value based on the relative negative RPS parameter will generally result in the first positive index reference value equaling zero. Thus, as the first positive index reference value increases, the number of bits saved also increases.

In some instances, the electronic device 302 may process only the first positive RPS index value in the set of RPS index values based on the relative negative RPS parameter. Each subsequent positive index value may be processed, as shown in Listing (3). In this case, overhead is reduced for the first positive index value for each RPS of each picture sent in the bitstream 114.

The electronic device 302 may send 510 a bitstream 114. By applying the systems and methods described herein, the RPS overhead in the bitstream 114 may be reduced.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating another more specific configuration of a method 600 for reducing RPSsignal overhead on an electronic device 302. The electronic device 302 may obtain 602 a picture 226 and encode 604 the picture 226, as discussed previously.

The electronic device may optionally indicate 606 a symmetric flag, such as symmetric_flag, to be sent in bitstream to indicate if the first positive RPS index value can be initialized with a negative RPS index value. For example, the symmetric flag may indicate that the index value should be initialized to the smallest absolute value of negative RPS_deltaPoc. Alternatively, the symmetry flag may indicate not initializing the index value to the smallest absolute value of negative RPS_deltaPoc. In this case the index value may be initialized to zero.

The electronic device 302 may process 608 a positive number of pictures based on the index value. In some cases, the processing skips when the index value is initialized. In other words, when the index value is initialized, the first iteration of processing the positive RPS index values skips writing the first positive RPS index value to the RPS. In the case where only one positive number exits, then no processing of positive numbers occur. The electronic device 302 may also send 610 a bitstream 314.

Listing (5) shows one example of pseudo code syntax in which the present method may be applied. Modifications to the syntax in accordance with the systems and methods disclosed herein are denoted in bold.

Listing (5) prev = 0; for (j=0; j < num_negative_pics; j++){ write( prev − RPS_deltaPoc(j) − 1); prev = RPS_deltaPoc(j); ... } prev = 0; if (num_positive_pics) write(symmetric_flag); for (j=0; j < num_positive_pics; j++){ k = num_negative_picsnumNegativePictures+ j; if (j>0 ∥ ! symmetric _(—) flag) write(RPS_deltaPoc(j) − prev − 1); prev = RPS_deltaPoc(k); ... }

When j>0 in processing the positive RPS index value, the condition j==0 is skipped. In other words, the first positive reference picture is skipped.

Returning now to the condition where j>0. In this instance, j is initialized to 0 in the for loop when processing the positive RPS index values. Upon initialization, the processing of positive RPS index values skips the first positive RPS index value. For example, in the case of RPS index values [−8, −4, 4, 6], in processing the positive RPS index values, 4 will be skipped over and only 6 will be added to the RPS index for the current picture.

In another example, for index values [−2, −4, 2, 6], if the symmtetic_flag is true, for the positive RPS_deltaPOC values, the first one must be equal to 2, as derived from the negative reference picture indexes. In this manner, processing of the positive RPS index values may begin from the second positive RPS index value (e.g., 6). Hierarchical coding structures, such as Random Access (Hierarchical B), the symmetric condition between the start of positive and negative RPS index is usually true. This is due to the symmetrical nature of each current picture in relation to deltaPOC reference pictures.

In the case of only one positive RPS index value, the electronic device 302 may skip processing of the positive values. For example, for index values [−4, −8, 4], after processing, an RPS of [−4, −8] may be sent to the bitstream. Then upon receipt, the receiving electronic device, such as a decoder, may receive the RPS index values [−4, −8] and derive reference index values of [−4, −8, 4] for the current picture being decoded. Thus, by skipping the first positive reference picture in each RPS for each current picture, significant overhead savings may be achieved in RPSsignaling.

For example, Listing (6) shows syntax for processing RPS index values on a decoder.

Listing (6) ref_pic_set( idx ) { num_negative_pics num_positive_pics if (num _(—) positive _(—) pics) { symmetric _(—) flag } for( i = 0; i < num_negative_pics; i++ ) { delta_poc_s0_minus1[ i ] used_by_curr_pic_s0_flag[ i ] } for( i = 0; i < num_positive_pics; i++ ) { if (i!=0 ∥ ! symmetric _(—) flag) { delta_poc_s1_minus1[ i ] } used_by_curr_pic_s1_flag[ i ] } }

Listing (6) shows one example a syntax which can be processed by a decoder. This syntax may be generated by an electronic device 302 using the approach discussed in connection with Listing (5). For example, the decoder may check symmertric_flag to see if there is an indication that the smallest negative RPS index value is symmetrical with a corresponding positive RPS index value. If symmertric_flag indicates such, the decode may decode the RPS and use the absolute value of the smallest negative RPS index value at the RPS index value of the first positive RPS index value. It will be appreciated that other approaches to decode a picture as listed in Listing (6) may be employed which correspond to the encoding approach discussed above in connecting with Listing (5).

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating one configuration of a decoder 712 on an electronic device 702. The decoder 712 may be included in an electronic device 702. For example, the decoder 712 may be a HEVC decoder. The decoder 712 and/or one or more of the elements illustrated as included in the decoder 712 may be implemented in hardware, software or a combination of both. The decoder 712 may receive a bitstream 714 (e.g., one or more encoded pictures included in the bitstream 714) for decoding. In some configurations, the received bitstream 714 may include received overhead information, such as a received slice header, received PPS, received buffer description information, etc. The encoded pictures included in the bitstream 714 may include one or more encoded reference pictures and/or one or more other encoded pictures.

Received symbols (in the one or more encoded pictures included in the bitstream 714) may be entropy decoded by an entropy decoding module 768, thereby producing a motion information signal 770 and quantized, scaled and/or transformed coefficients 772.

The motion information signal 770 may be combined with a portion of a reference frame signal 798 from a frame memory 778 at a motion compensation module 774, which may produce an inter-frame prediction signal 782. The quantized, descaled and/or transformed coefficients 772 may be inverse quantized, scaled and inverse transformed by an inverse module 762, thereby producing a decoded residual signal 784. The decoded residual signal 784 may be added to a prediction signal 792 to produce a combined signal 786. The prediction signal 792 may be a signal selected from either the inter-frame prediction signal 782 or an intra-frame prediction signal 790 produced by an intra-frame prediction module 788. In some configurations, this signal selection may be based on (e.g., controlled by) the bitstream 714.

The intra-frame prediction signal 790 may be predicted from previously decoded information from the combined signal 792 (in the current frame, for example). The combined signal 792 may also be filtered by a de-blocking filter 794. The resulting filtered signal 796 may be written to frame memory 778. The resulting filtered signal 796 may include a decoded picture.

The frame memory 778 may include a DPB as described herein. The DPB may include one or more decoded pictures that may be maintained as short or long term reference frames. The frame memory 778 may also include overhead information corresponding to the decoded pictures. For example, the frame memory 778 may include slice headers, PPS information, cycle parameters, buffer description information, etc. One or more of these pieces of information may be signaled from an encoder (e.g., encoder 304). The frame memory 778 may provide a decoded picture 718.

The decoder 712 may include a partial RPS determination module 720, an RPS template module 722 and/or an RPS deletion module 724. The partial RPS determination module 720 may generate a partial RPS based on signals obtained from the bitstream 714. In some cases, a partial RPS may be determined on the decoder 712 based on a full RPS. Greater detail regarding partial RPS determination module 720 is described below.

The RPS template module 722 may derive an RPS template at the decoder 712. In some instances, the RPS template may be created based on signals received for the bitstream 714, such as a GOP size, a coding structure and rules.

The RPS deletion module 724 may receive indications at the decoder 712 to delete a previously received RPS. For example, the bitstream 714 may include a flag in a PPS and a bit field in a slice header of a picture. The RPS deletion module 724 may assist in identifying missing reference pictures. Greater detail regarding the RPS deletion module 724 will be given below.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of method 800 for reducing RPSsignal overhead on an electronic device 702. The electronic device 702 may obtain 802 a bitstream 714. For example, the bitstream 714 may be obtained from the electronic device 702 where a decoder 712 is located, or alternatively from another electronic device.

The electronic device 702 may obtain 804 a GOP based on the bitstream 714. In some cases, a GOP may be specified as a specific number of sequential pictures, such as four or eight pictures. For example, the electronic device 702 may obtain 804 a GOP that includes 8 pictures.

There may be various ways that the electronic device 702 may derive a full RPS. In one configuration, the electronic device 702 may receive GOP size, coding structure and other necessary information, such as the PPS.

To derive the full RPS, the electronic device 702 may determine the coding order according to coding structure and GOP size. For instance, with low delay coding, the coding order may be the display order. In another instance, with Hierarchical B, the coding order may employ minimum decoding delay. In one example that is similar to the example illustrated in FIG. 2, a GOP, with a size of 8, will code in the order of POC 8, 4, 2, 1, 3, 6, 5, 7. Alternatively, a coding order may be coded from a lower hierarchy towards higher hierarchy. In this example, a GOP, with the size of 8, will code in the order of POC 0, 8, 4, 2, 6, 1, 3, 5, and 7. Additionally, a flag can be used to denote which coding order to use. In some cases, the flag may be a bit flag.

To derive the full RPS, the electronic device 702 may also determine the reference pictures based on coding structure, temporal layer id, number of reference pictures and additional rules set by the encoder and the decoder. For example, in the case of low delay coding with N reference frame, a preceding picture with same or lower temporal layer may always serve as a reference picture. Then, for the remaining N−1 reference pictures, additional rules can be specified to select reference pictures depending on coding order and/or hierarchy layer. A parameter may be used to specify which rule should be used. An example of this parameter is reference_picture_selection_rule, and is discussed below in association with Listing (9).

Additionally, to derive the full RPS, the electronic device 702 may loop (e.g., iterate) the GOP in coding order. The electronic device 702 may add or keep reference pictures that will be later referenced in connection with subsequent pictures. These subsequent pictures may be in the same or later GOPs then the current picture. If a reference pictures is to be used for reference later, it may be marked for future use. Otherwise, it may be marked, “not for reference.”

The electronic device 702 may derive 806 a partial RPS from a full RPS based on at least one relative index value. For example, the electronic device 702 may attempt to derive a full RPS.

However, because some reference pictures are missing or have not been obtained, only a partial RPS may be derived.

A partial RPS may be for frames that have unavailable reference pictures due to IDR or CRA, such as occurs at the start of a picture sequence. For example, suppose a first picture is at POC 8 with RPS index values of [−8, −10, −12, −16]. Being the first received picture, it does not yet have reference pictures corresponding to RPS index values [−10, −12, −16]. In this example, the first picture cannot use the full RPS with index reference values of [−8, −10, −12, −16]. Rather, a partial RPS contains index value [−8], and this index value represents the only reference picture that may be used to decode the picture (e.g., POC 8).

The electronic device 702 may then decode 808 a picture based on the partial RPS. In other words, the electronic device 702 may decode 808 a picture using the reference pictures available to it.

In some implementations, a partial RPS may be additionally derived on the encoder 304 side of an electronic device 302. However, by deriving a partial RPS at the decoder 712, RPS overhead in the bitstream 714 is reduced due to the partial RPS not being sent over in addition to the full RPS being sent over.

Listing (7) shows one approach for deriving a partial RPS.

Listing (7) pic_parameter_set_rbsp( ) { pic_parameter_set_id seq_parameter_set_id entropy_coding_mode_flag num_full_ref_pic_sets num_partial_ref_pic_sets for(idx = 0; idx < num_full_ref_pic_sets; idx++) ref_pic_set( idx ) i=0 while( idx < NumRefPicSets ) { partial_ref_pic_set_flag[ i ] if( partial_ref_pic_set_flag ) { for( j=0; j < NumNegativePics[ i % num_full_ref_pic_set ]; j++ ) ref_flag[ j ] idx++ } i++ } }

In Listing (7), num_full_ref_pic_sets specifies the number of full reference picture sets that are specified in the picture parameter set. num_partial_ref_pic_sets specifies the number of partial reference picture sets that are specified in the picture parameter set. ref_flag[j] specifies whether the content of the full reference picture set is copied to the partial reference picture set.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of a method 900 for deriving a partial RPS on an electronic device 702. In order to decode a picture, the electronic device 702 may need to reference the RPS of the current picture. However, the full RPS may not be available. In this case, a partial RPS may be constructed.

In one configuration, a partial RPS may be constructed by the electronic device 702. The electronic device 702 may obtain 902 a bitstream 714 and obtain 904 a GOP based on the bitstream in a similar manner, as described above.

The electronic device 702 may iterate 906 over each picture within the GOP. For instance, the electronic device 702 may loop through each picture and identify the RPS index values corresponding to each picture. In some cases, iteration may also occur over multiple GOPs as well.

The electronic device 702 may identify 908 a current picture, where the relative index value corresponds to the current picture. For example, this may be the picture the electronic device 702 is trying to decode. Additionally, in identifying 908 a current picture, the electronic device 702 may also identify the POC for the current picture. For instance, the POC may specify the POC of the current picture in the GOP.

Listing 8 below shows and example of syntax for generating a partial RPS. In Listing (8) current_poc_in_GOP specifies the current POC in a GOP. current_poc_in_GOP ranges from 1 to the GOP size.

Listing (8) pic_parameter_set ( ) { pic_parameter_set_id seq_paramater_set_id entropy_coding_mode_flag num_ref_pic_sets for(idx=0; idx < num_ref_pic_sets_idx++){ ref_pic_set(idx) current_poc_in_GOP } ... } ref_pic_set(idx){ num_negative_pics num_positive_pics for(i = 0; i < num_negative_pics; i++){ delta_poc_s0_minus1[i] used_by_curr_pic_s0_flag [i] } for(i = 0; i < num_positive_pics; i++){ delta_poc_s1_minus1[i] used_by_curr_pic_s1_flag[i] } }

The electronic device 702 may iterate 910 over the at least one relative index value within the full RPS of the current picture. For example, if the current picture has RPS index values of [−1, −5, −9, −13], then the electronic device would loop through reference pictures located at deltaPOC=−1, deltaPOC=−5, deltaPOC=−9 and deltaPOC=−13.

The electronic device 702 may determine 912 whether a reference picture is available for each relative index value. In the example above, the electronic device 702 may attempt to access reference pictures located at deltaPOCs=−1, −5, −9 and −13. However, one or more the reference pictures may be missing.

One approach for determining 912 whether a reference picture is available is by satisfying the condition currentPOC+refDeltaPOC<POC_of_Latest_CRA. POC_of_Latest_CRA indicates the position of the latest clean random access (CRA) picture. In other words, POC_of_Latest_CRA is the POC of the latest IDR or CRA picture. If an RPS index values refers to a reference picture located before the latest CRA picture, then the reference picture will not be available. Thus, if currentPOC+refDeltaPOC<POC_of_Latest_CRA is satisfied, then the relative reference picture is missing and is not added to the partial RPS.

As an example, suppose the current picture has a POC of 1. (e.g., POC=1) and POC_of_Latest_CRA is 0. Again, suppose that the current picture has RPS index values of [−1, −5, −9, −13]. Applying the condition currentPOC+refDeltaPOC for the first index value results in 0 (e.g., 1+−1=0). Because the condition is not satisfied (e.g., 1+−1 is not less than 0 or POC_of_Latest_CRA), the first reference index value is added to the partial RPS. Applying currentPOC+refDeltaPOC to the other RPS reference index values produce results where currentPOC+refDeltaPOC is less than POC_of_Latest_CRA. Thus, no other index values are added to the partial RPS.

As another example, suppose the current picture has a POC of 5. (e.g., POC=5). Again, suppose that the current picture has RPS index values of [−1, −5, −9, −13]. Applying the condition currentPOC+refDeltaPOC for the RPS index values results in [4, 0, −4, −8], respectively. Because the first two values are not less than zero, the corresponding RPS reference index values are added to the partial RPS. Thus, the partial RPS created in this example has the index values of [−1, −5].

The electronic device 702 may add 914 the reference picture to the partial RPS if the picture is available. The electronic device 702 may also decode 916 the current picture using the partial RPS index values.

In yet other configurations, the electronic device 702 may evaluate the partial RPS and determine to insert additional pictures. For example, a partial RPS with only one reference to a reference picture may be modified to include three additional reference pictures that may be useful in decoding that current picture.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of a method 1000 for deriving an RPS template on an electronic device 702. As discussed in connection with Tables (1)-(4), RPS templates may be used in video coding to assist in processing frequently used coding structures. An example of such structure is a Random Access Hierarchical B coding structure with a GOP size equal to 8 or 16. Another example is a Low Delay coding structure with the GOP size equal to 4 or 8.

In one configuration, an RPS template may be created. It should be noted that creation on an RPS template may be derived at both the encoder and decoder side without sending the full RPS in the PPS. Further, derivation of the RPS template may occur in connection with, or independent or the creation of a partial RPS, as discussed above.

The electronic device 702 may obtain 1002 a bitstream 714. The electronic device 702 may obtain 1004 a flag that indicates creating the RPS template. For example, the flag may be located and sent in the PPS.

As another example, the electronic device 702 may have and/or obtain a set of rules used to derive RPS templates for commonly used GOP sizes, coding structures, temporal layer settings and temporal interleaving patterns.

Using these rules, the electronic device 702 may create 1006 an RPS template based on a reduced amount of information. For instance, an RPS template may be derived by using information regarding the GOP size, the coding structure and rules. The coding structure, for instance, may specify Random Access (Hierarchical B) or Low Delay. The rules may, for example, specify the settings for the temporal layers. Listing (9) below shows

Listing (9) below shows syntax of an approach for deriving an RPS.

Listing (9) picture_parameter_set( idx ) { ... derive_rps_with_model_flag if (derive_rps_with_model){ coding_structure GOP_size_log2 for (i=0; i < GOP_size_log2; i++) { number_reference_pictures } reference_picture_selection_rule if (coding_structure==0) { coding_order } temporal_layer_exist_flag if (temporal_layer_exist_flag) temporal_id_ordering } } ...

derive_rps_with_model_flag specifies whether to derive an RPS at the decoder side. derive_rps_with_model_flag set to 0 indicates to send the RPS in the PPS. derive_rps_with_model_flag set to 1 indicates to derive the RPS at the decoder.

coding_structure equal to 0 means that the coding structure is Hierarchical B coding. A coding structure equal to 1 denotes that the coding structure is Low delay coding.

GOP_size_log2 refers to the log 2 of GOP size. GOP size equals 2^((GOP) ^(—) ^(size) ^(—) ^(log2)). number_of_reference_pictures(i) specifies the number of reference pictures used per reference picture list (e.g., RefPicList0 and/or RefPicList1) for the i-th hierarchical layer. reference_picture_selection_rule specifies the commonly defined rules to select a reference picture by an encoder and a decoder.

coding_order may specify rules to determine coding order. A coding_order of 0 may denote a first coding order and a coding_order of 1 may denote a second coding order. In one configuration, for example, a coding_order of 0 may denote the minimum decoding delay order and a coding_order of 1 may denote a hierarchy priority order (e.g., coding from the lowest hierarchy layer to a higher hierarchy layer).

temporal_layer_exist_flag specifies if different temporal layers exist. A flag equal to 0 means all frames have the same temporal layer and a flag equal to 1 means different temporal layers exist.

temporal_id_ordering specifies the ordering of pictures with same temporal_id in a current GOP. For instance, a value of 1 indicates that pictures in the current GOP with same temporal_id are continuous in decoding order. Alternatively, a value of 0 indicates that pictures in the current GOP with the same temporal_id are interleaved in decoding order.

Using the created RPS template, the electronic device 702 may decode 1008 a picture. In the case of non-common RPS code structures, the RPS template may also be signaled directly sending the RPS template in PPS and/or slice header.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of a method 1100 for creating an indication to delete at least one reference picture on an electronic device 302. In some known implementations, such as that given in Joint Collaborative Team on Video Coding (JCTVC) document JCTVC-F803_d5, indicating a delete operation on a previously signaled RPS is not supported. In other words, the PPS does not support sending a signal to delete a previously sent RPS.

In another known implementation, such as JCTVC-G637, pruning of reference picture sets have been proposed. In this implementation, a number of short-term reference pictures that are omitted from a particular RPS may be signaled in the PPS for pruning. One example of where some of the pictures signaled in RPS are not available, is the first GOP following a random access point. However, JCTVC-G637 only allows for pruning consecutive negative pictures.

In yet another known implementation, such as JCT-G198, a signaling scheme is proposed that sends a constant deltaRPS value. Also, a sent field value (e.g., 00) may signal that a previous reference picture should not be used (e.g., should be skipped).

In some known implementations, long-term reference pictures (LTRPs) are explicitly signaled individually in each slice header. Thus, when a LTRP is not signaled, it will be deleted. Accordingly, sending a delete signal may not be required for a LTRP. However, in some implementations where a LTRPs are signaled, the delete mechanism disclosed herein may additionally be applied to a LTRP.

The systems and methods disclosed herein may provide one or more additional benefits in allowing for signaling a delete operation on a previously signaled RPS. Additional benefits may be obtained by also efficiently signaling a new RPS. In one configuration, an electronic device 302 optionally receives 1102 feedback indication of at least one missing reference picture. The feedback may be from the same or a different electronic device. For example, a decoder 712 decoding a picture may discover a missing reference picture in an RPS and send feedback to the electronic device 302 regarding the missing reference picture.

In another configuration no feedback is received by the electronic device 302. Instead, the electronic device 302 may send the delete indication after a new CRA or IDR picture has been signaled. For example, a CRA or IDR picture may trigger the electronic device to send a delete indication to delete one or more unnecessary reference pictures listed in a preciously received RPS.

The electronic device 302 may create 1104 an indication to delete at least one reference picture listed in a previously provided RPS. This step may occur in conjunction with, or independent of receiving feedback indicating a missing picture. The electronic device 302 may send 1106 the indication in a bitstream.

As an example, a delete indication (e.g., delete signal) may be sent after the first GOP following a random access point. This may be done without the need to receive a feedback from the decoder 712. The delete indication may be sent as a flag in PPS. For example, the flag value of 1 is sent in the PPS to indicate existence of a deletion bit field in the slice header. Alternatively, the flag value of 0 is sent in the PPS to indicate a deletion bit field is not sent in the slice header.

Additionally and/or alternatively, the delete indication may be sent as a bit field in the slice header for each picture in an indicated RPS. For example, the bit field may send the indication value of 0 in the slice header to indicate deletion of a corresponding reference picture from the indicated RPS or the bit field may send the indication value of 1 in the slice header to indicate that the corresponding reference picture should be kept. The bit field may be sent in the slice header for each of the reference pictures in the indicated RPS. In another configuration, such a bit field may be sent in the slice header only for the negative reference pictures in the indicated RPS. In some configurations, the delete indication may be sent both in the PPS and in the bit field.

Listing (10) below provides one example of syntax that may be used in the PPS to send a delete indication. Modifications to the syntax in accordance with the systems and methods disclosed herein are denoted in bold.

Listing (10) /* Picture parameter set raw byte sequence payload (RBSP) syntax */ pic_parameter_set_rbsp( ) { pic_parameter_set_id seq_parameter_set_id ... delete _(—) pics _(—) info _(—) present _(—) flag ...

In Listing (10), a delete_pics_info_present_flag equal to 1 specifies that the slice header may signal a delete operation from the short-term reference picture set included in the picture parameter set. A delete_pics_info_present_flag equal to 0 specifies that no delete operation is signaled in the slice header for the short-term reference picture set included in the picture parameter set. pic_parameter_set_id and seq_parameter_set_id are defined as described above.

Listing (11) below provides one example of syntax that may be used in the slice header to send a delete indication. Modifications to the syntax in accordance with the systems and methods disclosed herein are denoted in bold.

Listing (11) slice_header( ) { ... pic_order_cnt_lsb short_term_ref_pic_set_pps_flag if( !short_term_ref_pic_set_pps_flag ) short_term_ref_pic_set( num_short_term_ref_pic_sets ) else { short_term_ref_pic_set_idx if(delete _(—) pics _(—) info _(—) present _(—) flag) for(j=0;j<(num _(—) negative _(—) pics+num _(—) positive _(—) pics);j++) { use _(—) delta _(—) flag[j] } } ...

use_delta_flag[j] equal to 1 may specify that the j-th entry in the source candidate short-term RPS is included in the stRpsIdx-th candidate short-term RPS. In other words, use_delta_flag[j] equal to 1 may indicate that a corresponding picture associated with the use_delta_flag[j] in the candidate short-term RPS is included in the previously signaled RPS. use_delta_flag[j] equal to 0 may specify that the j-th entry in the source candidate short-term RPS is not included in the stRpsIdx-th candidate short-term RPS. In some configurations, when use_delta_flag[j] is not present, its value may be inferred to equal 1. use_delta_flag[j] may be sent by coding it as a 1 bit flag (i.e., coded as a u(1)).

In some configurations, use_delta_flag[j] may indicate a keep picture flag, e.g., keep_pic_flag[j]. In other words, keep_pic_flag[j] may be an example of use_delta_flag[j]. In this configuration, keep_pic_flag[j] equal to 1 may specify that the corresponding j-th short-term reference picture from the reference picture set in the picture parameter set with index short_term_ref_pic_set_idx should be kept. keep_pic_flag[j] equal to 0 may specify that the corresponding j-th short-term reference picture from the reference picture set in the picture parameter set with index short_term_ref_pic_set_idx should be deleted (e.g., omitted).

pic_order_cnt_lsb specifies the picture order count modulo MaxPicOrderCntLsb for the top field of a coded frame or for a coded field. The length of the pic_order_cnt_lsb syntax element is log2_max_pic_order_cnt_lsb_minus4+4 bits. The value of the pic_order_cnt_lsb shall be in the range of 0 to MaxPicOrderCntLsb−1, inclusive.

MaxPicOrderCntLsb refers to a maximum possible value for (pic_order_cnt_lsb+1). log2_max_pic_order_cnt_lsb_minus4 specifies the value of the variable MaxPicOrderCntLsb that is used in the decoding process for picture order count as follows: MaxPicOrderCntLsb=2^((log2) ^(—) ^(max) ^(—) ^(pic) ^(—) ^(order) ^(—) ^(cnt) ^(—) ^(lsb) ^(—) ^(minus4+4)). The value of log2_max_pic_order_cnt_lsb_minus4 may be in the range of 0 to 12, inclusive.

short_term_ref_pic_set_pps_flag equal to 1 specifies that the short-term reference picture set of the current picture shall be created using syntax elements in the active picture parameter set. short_term_ref_pic_set_pps_flag equal to 0 specifies that the short-term reference picture set of the current picture shall be created using syntax elements in the short_term_ref_pic_set( ) syntax structure in the slice header.

short_term_ref_pic_set_idx specifies the index to the list of the short-term reference picture sets specified in the active picture parameter set that shall be used for creation of the reference picture set of the current picture. The syntax element short_term_ref_pic_set_idx shall be represented by ceil(log2(num_short_term_ref_pic_sets)) bits. The value of short_term_ref_pic_set_idx shall be in the range of 0 to num_short_term_ref_pic_sets−1, inclusive, where num_short_term_ref_pic_sets is the syntax element from the active picture parameter set.

The variable StRpsIdx is derived as shown in Listing (12) below.

Listing (12) if( short_term_ref_pic_set_pps_flag ) StRpsIdx = short_term_ref_pic_set_idx else StRpsIdx = num_short_term_ref_pic_sets

In Listing (12), short_term_ref_pic_set indicates a short-term reference picture set and num_short_term_ref_pic_sets indicates the total number of short-term reference picture sets.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of a method 1200 for deleting at least one reference picture on an electronic device 702. The electronic device 702 may optionally detect 1202 at least one missing reference picture in the RPS. For example, the electronic device 702 may perform steps similar to those described above in connection with creating a partial RPS, in which a determination is made as to whether a reference picture is available. Additionally or alternatively, the electronic device 702 may call a reference picture and discover that it is missing or is corrupt or may detect 1202 a missing reference picture in other ways.

The electronic device 702 may optionally send 1204 feedback indicating the at least one missing reference picture. For example, feedback through a back channel indicating the missing POC, RPS or a variety of other signals may be sent to indicate a missing picture.

The electronic device 702 may obtain 1206 an indication to delete at least one reference picture listed in a previously obtained RPS. In one instance, the signal may be obtained from a flag in PPS and a bit field in slice header for each picture in RPS. For example, delete_pics_info_present_flag and use_delta_flag[ ] (e.g., keep_pic_flag [ ]) may be signaled. use_delta_flag[ ] and keep_pic_flag[ ] may be general examples of use_delta_flag[j] and keep_pic_flag[j], as used herein.

The electronic device 702 may delete 1208 the at least one reference picture in the previously obtained RPS. In some cases, the delete indication may be received with a subsequent RPS that should replace the RPS to be deleted. In another case, the indication may specify deleting a previously received RPS that is no longer needed to decode further pictures. In yet another case, the indication may be to delete a previously received RPSso that a subsequent replacement RPS may be transmitted. It should be noted that the steps of obtaining 1206 an indication to delete at least one reference picture and deleting 1208 the at least one reference picture may be done in conjunction with, or independent of the previous steps of detecting 1202 a missing picture and sending 1204 feedback.

As an example of this, if a previously obtained RPS had the index values of [−2, −1, 1, 3, 5], and the electronic device 702 receives an indication to delete the second reference picture, then the previously obtained reference set would delete the RPS index value of −1. In other words, the previously obtained reference set would become [−2, 1, 3, 5].

FIG. 13 illustrates various components that may be utilized in an electronic device 1302. The electronic device 1302 may be implemented as one or more of the electronic devices (e.g., electronic devices 102, 302, 702) described herein.

The electronic device 1302 includes a processor 1317 that controls operation of the electronic device 1302. The processor 1317 may also be referred to as a CPU. Memory 1311, which may include both read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM) or any type of device that may store information, provides instructions 1313 a (e.g., executable instructions) and data 1315 a to the processor 1317. A portion of the memory 1311 may also include non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM). The memory 1311 may be in electronic communication with the processor 1317.

Instructions 1313 b and data 1315 b may also reside in the processor 1317. Instructions 1313 b and/or data 1315 b loaded into the processor 1317 may also include instructions 1313 a and/or data 1315 a from memory 1311 that were loaded for execution or processing by the processor 1317. The instructions 1313 b may be executed by the processor 1317 to implement the systems and methods disclosed herein.

The electronic device 1302 may include one or more communication interface 1319 for communicating with other electronic devices. The communication interfaces 1319 may be based on wired communication technology, wireless communication technology, or both. Examples of a communication interface 1319 include a serial port, a parallel port, a Universal Serial Bus (USB), an Ethernet adapter, an IEEE 1394 bus interface, a small computer system interface (SCSI) bus interface, an infrared (IR) communication port, a Bluetooth wireless communication adapter, a wireless transceiver in accordance with 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specifications and so forth.

The electronic device 1302 may include one or more output devices 1323 and one or more input devices 1321. Examples of output devices 1323 include a speaker, printer, etc. One type of output device that may be included in an electronic device 1302 is a display device 1325. Display devices 1325 used with configurations disclosed herein may utilize any suitable image projection technology, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode (LED), gas plasma, electroluminescence or the like. A display controller 1327 may be provided for converting data stored in the memory 1311 into text, graphics, and/or moving images (as appropriate) shown on the display device 1325. Examples of input devices 1321 include a keyboard, mouse, microphone, remote control device, button, joystick, trackball, touchpad, touchscreen, lightpen, etc.

The various components of the electronic device 1302 are coupled together by a bus system 1329, which may include a power bus, a control signal bus and a status signal bus, in addition to a data bus. However, for the sake of clarity, the various buses are illustrated in FIG. 13 as the bus system 1329. The electronic device 1302 illustrated in FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram rather than a listing of specific components.

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of a method 1400 for decoding a picture on an electronic device 702. The electronic device 702 may obtain 1402 a bitstream 714. For example, the bitstream 714 may be obtained from the electronic device 702 (from memory, for example), or may be received from another electronic device.

The electronic device 702 may obtain 1404 a current picture. For instance, the electronic device 702 may obtain 1404 a current picture embedded in the bitstream 714.

The electronic device 702 may obtain 1406 a relative RPS parameter. For example, the relative RPS may be signaled in the PPS. Accordingly, the relative RPS parameter may be obtained from the PPS. In some configurations, the relative RPS parameter may be a negative relative RPS parameter. In other configurations, the relative RPS parameter may be a positive relative RPS parameter. In some configurations, the relative negative RPS parameter may be a negative RPS index value. For example, a negative RPS index value may be relative to the current picture obtained. In other words, the relative RPS index value may refer to the location of a reference picture relative to the index position of the current picture.

While some examples and configurations refer to the relative RPS parameter as a negative RPS parameter, it should be appreciated that a positive parameter may be used in a respective manner. In other words, even though examples are given herein pertaining to a negative relative RPS parameter, similar examples using a positive relative RPS parameter may be employed. Likewise, other examples to positive or negative connotation, in many cases, may be reversed.

The electronic device 702 may initialize 1408 an index value. In some configurations, the electronic device 702 may initialize the index value to 0. In other configurations, the electronic device 702 may initialize the index value based on an obtained parameter.

The electronic device 702 may process 1410 another RPS parameter based on the index value. In some configurations, the other RPS parameter may be a positive RPS parameter. In other configurations, the other RPS parameter may be a negative RPS parameter. In some configurations, the other RPS parameter may be a positive RPS index value. For example, Listing (13) below illustrates one approach to processing a positive RPS parameter based on the index value.

Listing (13) prev = 0; for (j=0; j < num_negative_pics; j++){ value = read( ) ; RPS_deltaPoc(j) = prev − value −1 ; prev = RPS_deltaPoc(j); ... } prev = 0; for (j=0; j < num_positive_pics; j++){ k = num_negative_pics+ j; value = read( ) ; RPS_deltaPoc(k) = value + 1 + prev ; prev = RPS_deltaPoc(k); ... }

In Listing (13), value=read( ) represents reading information from the bitstream. In some configurations, the index value may be “prev” as shown in Listing (13). In some configurations, the index value may be RPS_deltaPoc. Furthermore, in some configurations, the index value may be initialized to 0. In other configurations, the index value may be initialized to the smallest absolute value of the negative RPS index value. In yet other configurations, the index value may be initialized to the negative of the smallest value of a positive RPS index value (e.g., the smallest positive RPS index value times −1). In some configurations or instances, the index value may be initialized to a non-zero value.

Similar to the relative RPS parameter, it should be noted that the other RPS parameter may be a positive or negative. In other words, even though examples are given herein pertaining to a positive RPS parameter, similar examples using a negative RPS parameter may be employed. Accordingly, the relative RPS parameter may be negative while the other RPS parameter is positive in some configurations. Alternatively, the relative RPS parameter may be positive while the other RPS parameter is negative in some configurations. In general, the relative RPS parameter and the other RPS parameter may have different signs (e.g., negative or positive).

The electronic device 702 may decode 1412 the current picture. This may be performed, for example, on a decoder 712. The decoder 712 may be an HEVC type decoder 712.

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram illustrating a more specific configuration of a method 1500 for decoding a picture on an electronic device. In one configuration, the electronic device 702 may obtain 1502 a bitstream, obtain 1504 a current picture and obtain 1506 a relative RPS parameter as discussed previously in connection with FIG. 14.

The electronic device 702 may initialize 1508 an index value based on the relative RPS parameter. For instance, Listing (14) shows one example of syntax for initializing 1508 an index value based on a relative negative RPS parameter. Modifications to the syntax in accordance with the systems and methods disclosed herein are denoted in bold. In some configurations, the approaches discussed in connection with Listing (14) may correspond to the approaches with Listing (4) discussed previously.

Listing (14) prev = 0; for (j=0; j < num_negative_pics; j++){ value = read( ) ; RPS_deltaPoc(j) = prev − value − 1 ; prev = RPS_deltaPoc(j); ... } prev = (smallest absolute value of negative RPS _(—) deltaPoc) − 1; for (j=0; j < num_positive_pics; j++){ k = num_negative_pics+ j; value = read( ) ; RPS_deltaPoc(k) = value + 1 + prev ; prev = RPS_deltaPoc(k); ... }

In some configurations, the index value may be “prev” in Listing (14), which may represent a previous index value. In this case, prev may be initialized based on the smallest absolute value of negative RPS_deltaPoc. RPS_deltaPOC refers to the RPS index values.

For example, suppose an RPS with reference indexes of [−2, −4, 2] is obtained by the electronic device 702. However, because of encoding as in the approach discussed in connection with FIG. 4, for example, the first positive RPS index received at the electronic device 702 may have a value of 0. The negative RPS index values are processed to generate one or more relative negative RPS parameters. Here, −2 is obtained as the relative negative RPS parameter.

Continuing with this example, the index value is initialized 1508 based on the relative negative RPS parameter. Listing (14) shows that prev may be initialized based on the relative negative RPS parameter. Here, prev is initialized based on the relative negative RPS parameter −2. In some instances, the relative negative RPS parameter may be the smallest absolute value taken from the set of negative RPS index values for a current picture. Thus, prev is initialized to the smallest absolute value taken from the set of negative RPS index values minus 1. In other words, prev=1 (e.g., |−2|−1).

The electronic device 702 may process 1510 another RPS parameter based on the index value. For instance, returning to the above example, the electronic device 702 may process 1510 another RPS parameter based on prev=1. In one instance, processing the positive RPS parameter may involve employing RPS_deltaPoc(k)=value+1+prev. In this instance, RPS_deltaPoc(k) would equal a value (e.g., relative value of 0) plus 1 plus prev (1). In other words, RPS_deltaPoc(k)=2. Thus, in this example, the positive RPS parameter generated is 2. Additionally, the generated RPS index values for the current picture is [−2, −4, 2].

Once the RPS index values are obtained, the electronic device 702 may decode 1512 the current picture. For example, the current picture may use the generated RPS index values for decoding.

In another example, suppose that the RPS has index values of [−4, −6, 4]. Here, −4 would be obtained as the negative relative RPS parameter. The index value may be initialized to 3, or to the smallest absolute value of the negative RPS index values minus 1. In other words, prev=|−4|−1=3. Processing a positive RPS parameter value would result in an RPS index value of 4. Thus, in this example, the set of RPS index values would be [−4, −6, 4].

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram illustrating another more specific configuration of a method 1600 for decoding a picture on an electronic device 702. The electronic device 702 may obtain 1602 a bitstream, obtain 1604 a current picture and obtain 1606 a relative RPS parameter as discussed previously in connection with FIG. 14.

The electronic device 702 may obtain 1608 a symmetric flag. In some configurations, the symmetric flag may be the same or similar to the symmetric flag discussed previously. For example, the symmetric flag may indicate that the relative negative RPS parameter corresponds to the positive RPS parameter. For instance, given a set of RPS index values [−2, −6, 2, 4], the symmetric flag may indicate that the index value of −2 corresponds to the index value of 2.

Additionally, The symmetric_flag may be sent in a bitstream 714 to indicate if the first positive RPS index value can be initialized with a negative RPS index value. For example, the symmetric flag may indicate that the index value should be initialized to the smallest absolute value of negative RPS_deltaPoc values. Alternatively, the symmetry flag may indicate not initializing the index value to the smallest absolute value of negative RPS_deltaPoc values. In this case, the index value may be initialized to zero.

The electronic device 702 may initialize 1610 an index value based on the relative negative RPS parameter and the symmetric flag. As one example, Listing (15) below illustrates one approach of initializing 1610 an index value based on the relative negative RPS parameter and the symmetric flag. Modifications to the syntax in accordance with the systems and methods disclosed herein are denoted in bold.

Listing (15) prev = 0; for (j=0; j < num_negative_pics; j++){ value = read( ); RPS_deltaPoc(j) = prev − value −1; prev = RPS_deltaPoc(j); ... } if (num _(—) positive _(—) pics > 0) { symmetric _(—) flag = read( ); if (symmetric _(—) flag == true){ RPS _(—) deltaPoc(num _(—) negative _(—) pics) = (smallest absolute value of negative RPS _(—) deltaPoc) ; } } prev = 0; for (j=0; j < num_positive_pics; j++){ k = num_negative_pics+ j; if (j>0 ∥ !symmetric _(—) flag) { value = read( ) ; RPS_deltaPoc(k) = value + 1 + prev ; } prev = RPS_deltaPoc(k); ... }

In one configuration of Listing (15), RPS_deltaPOC(num_negative_pics−1) stores the negative RPS index values. RPS_deltaPOC(num_negative_pics) to RPS_deltaPOC(num_negative_pics+num_positive_pics−1) stores the positive RPS index values. In this case, RPS_deltaPoc(num_negative_pics) above stores the first positive RPS index value. In other words, RPS_deltaPoc(num_negative_pics) refers to the first positive RPS index value. First, the electronic device 702 verifies that there is at least one positive RPS index value. Then the electronic device 702 determines whether there is a symmetric flag and if the flag is set to true. If the there is a symmetric flag set to true, the electronic device 702 initializes 1610 an index value based on the relative negative RPS parameter. Thus, the initialization of the index value is based on both the relative negative RPS parameter and the symmetric flag. In this configuration, the index value of RPS_deltaPoc(num_negative_pics) is initialized to the smallest absolute value of negative RPS_deltaPoc. For example, in the case of RPS index values [−8, −4, 4, 6], the first positive RPS index value may be initialized to 4, or the smallest absolute value of negative RPS_deltaPoc.

The electronic device 702 may process 1612 one or more other RPS parameters based on the index value. For instance, with a positive index value of 4, the electronic device 702 may be able to generate the second positive RPS index value of 6 in the example above. Further, the electronic device 702 may skip processing at least one of the other RPS parameters when the index value is initialized. In other words, when the first positive RPS index value is initialized, processing the positive RPS index values skips to the second positive RPS index value. For instance, in the example above, when the first positive RPS index value is initialized to 4, processing skips to the second positive RPS index value to generate a value of 6. Thus, in this example, the set of RPS index values [−8, −4, 4, 6] is obtained.

In some cases, where there is only one positive RPS index value, processing of the positive RPS index valued may be skipped upon initialization of the index value. For example, for index values [−4, −8, 4], the electronic device 702 may receive the RPS index values [−4, −8] and derive reference index values of [−4, −8, 4] for the current picture being decoded. Thus, by skipping processing of the first positive reference picture in each RPS for each current picture, processing time may be reduced.

Once the RPS index values are obtained, the electronic device 702 may decode 1614 the current picture. For example, the current picture may use the processed RPS index values for decoding.

In another example, for the RPS index values [−2, −4, 2, 6], if the symmetric_flag is true, for the positive RPS_deltaPOC values, the first one must be equal to 2, as derived from the negative RPS index values. Other positive RPS index values may also be generated from the initialized index value. For instance, processing of the positive RPS index values may begin from the second positive RPS index value (e.g., 6) and may be based on the initialized index value of 2.

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of a method 1700 for signaling a reference picture set on an electronic device 302. In one known implementation, such as JCTVC-G637, pruning of reference picture sets have been proposed. This implementation proposes an approach to signal a number of short-term reference pictures that are omitted from a particular reference picture set (RPS) signaled in the picture parameter set (PPS). For example, this approach is used when some of the pictures signaled in RPS are not available because they belong to a part of the first group of pictures (GOP) following a random access point.

The systems and methods disclosed herein may provide one or more additional benefits for reference picture set (RPS) signaling and prediction. Additional benefits, such as improved efficiency from known approaches, may be obtained by inter RPSsignaling and prediction when signaling partial RPS. Further, the systems and methods disclosed herein may provide greater simplicity than known approaches.

In one configuration, an electronic device 302 may indicate 1702 a previously signaled reference picture set (RPS) corresponding to a current picture. For example, the electronic device 302 may be an encoder 304. The encoder 304 may be an HEVC type encoder 304.

The current picture may belong to the first GOP after a random access point. The previously signaled RPS may be sent at the random access point as a part of the sequence parameter set (SPS) or as part of another parameter set (e.g., picture parameter set (PPS), adaptation parameter set (APS), video parameter set (VPS), etc.). Alternatively, the previously signaled RPS may be sent by using another element in the bitstream or may be obtained from some out-of-band mechanism. In another case, the current picture may not belong to the first GOP after a random access point.

The previously signaled RPS may be identified by an index. For example, the index may be an RPS index, such as rps_idx[idx]. The index may include corresponding values used in decoding the current picture.

The RPS corresponding to the current picture may be signaled by a delete operation on a previous signaled RPS. For example, a reference picture may be lost and the decoder 712 may signal to the encoder 304, via feedback, for the reference picture. However, the encoder 304 may no longer use the lost picture as a reference frame. For example, this may occur when non-low delay conditions are present. By using a previously signaled RPS, the decoder 712 may be able to decode a current picture using one or more previously obtained reference pictures.

The electronic device 302 may set 1704 a first flag for one or more pictures in the previously signaled RPS. One example of the first flag may be a keep picture flag, such as use_delta_flag[ ] or keep_pic_flag[ ]. The first flag may be set 1704 if the picture is to be used as a reference picture for the current picture. For example, the first flag may represent a Boolean value and may be set to “1” if the picture is to be used as a reference picture for the current picture. Alternatively, it may be appreciated that in another configuration, the first flag may be set to “0” to indicate that the picture is to be used as a reference picture for the current picture.

Further, the first flag in the previously signaled RPS may not be set if the picture is not to be used as a reference picture for the current picture. For example, the first flag may represent a Boolean value set to “0” if the picture is not to be used as a reference picture for the current picture.

As used herein, the term “positive,” when used in defining a flag, refers to the flag being set. For example, the first flag is positive if it is set such that the picture is to be used as a reference picture for the current picture. If the picture is not to be used as a reference picture for the current picture, the flag may not be set (i.e., not positive). In some configurations, a negative value may alternatively be used when setting a flag. In some configurations, if the picture is not to be used as a reference picture for the current picture, the flag may be omitted.

The previously signaled RPS may indicate multiple pictures to be used as reference pictures for the current picture. In this case, each picture used as a reference picture for the current picture has its first flag set to be positive. In other words, for each reference picture in the previously signaled RPS, a corresponding flag is set if the reference picture is to be used as a reference picture to decode the current picture. Also, in this case, each picture that is not used as a reference picture for the current picture has its first flag set to be not positive.

The electronic device 302 may send 1706 a bitstream. The bitstream may include the previously signaled RPS with a first flag set. In some configurations, the bitstream may include multiple second flags, such as used by current picture flags. Each second flag may correspond to a reference picture in the previously signaled RPS that may be used as a reference picture for the current picture.

In another configuration, the bitstream may exclude the second flag. In other words, the bitsream may not include a used by current picture flag for the current RPS. The value of the used by current picture flag for the current RPS may be predicted and/or determined by an electronic device 302, such as a decoder 712, based on corresponding values of one or more other reference pictures signaled in the previously signaled RPS.

In one approach, the previously signaled RPS may be signaled in the sequence parameter set (SPS). Listing (16) below provides one example of syntax that may be used in the sequence parameter set raw byte sequence payload (RBSP) for signaling a reference picture set. Modifications to the syntax in accordance with the systems and methods disclosed herein are denoted in bold.

Listing (16) seq_parameter_set_rbsp( ) { ... num_short_term_ref_pic_sets for( i = 0; i < num_short_term_ref_pic_sets; i++) short_term_ref_pic_set( i ) predicted _(—) short _(—) term _(—) ref _(—) pic _(—) sets _(—) present _(—) flag if(predicted _(—) short _(—) term _(—) ref _(—) pic _(—) sets _(—) present _(—) flag) { num _(—) predicted _(—) short _(—) term _(—) ref _(—) pic _(—) sets _(—) minus1 for(idx=0; idx<=num _(—) short _(—) term _(—) ref _(—) pic _(—) sets _(—) minus1; idx++){ rps _(—) idx[idx] for( j = 0; j < num _(—) pics _(—) in _(—) rps _(—) idx[idx]; j++ ) { use _(—) delta _(—) flag[j] } } } ... }

In Listing (16) num_short_term_ref_pic_sets specifies the number of full short-term reference picture sets that are specified in the picture parameter set. The value of num_short_term_ref_pic_sets ranges from 0 to 64, inclusive.

predicted_short_term_ref_pic_sets_present_flag equal to 1 specifies that a number of predicted short-term reference picture sets that are coded with reference to full reference picture set exist in this sequence parameter set. predicted_short_term_ref_pic_sets_present_flag equal to 0 specifies that no predicted short-term reference picture sets that are coded with reference to full reference picture set exist in this sequence parameter set.

In some configurations, a predicted short-term reference picture set may be part of a predicted short-term reference picture set. For example, a predicted short-term reference picture sets present flag may be part of a predicted short-term reference picture sets present flag.

As shown in Listing (16), the previously signaled reference picture set (RPS) may be signaled by a flag, such as predicted_short_term_ref_pic_sets_present_flag, in the SPS. A bit field in the SPS may correspond to each picture in the RPS to which the inter RPS prediction applies. For example, the bit field may signal values of “1” or “0” to indicate whether to keep or discard a corresponding reference picture or corresponding reference picture value from the previously signaled RPS.

num_predicted_short_term_ref_pic_sets_minus1 specifies the number of predicted short-term reference picture sets minus 1 that are specified in the sequence parameter set. The value of num_short_term_ref_pic_sets_minus1 ranges from 0 to 63, inclusive.

In one configuration, the decoder 712 may allocate space for a total number of short-term reference picture sets since a coded video sequence may include up to one short-term reference picture set explicitly signaled in the slice header of a current picture. For example, the total number of short-term reference picture sets may equal num_short_term_ref_pic_sets+num_predicted_short_term_ref_pic_sets_minus1+1+1 if predicted_short_term_ref_pic_sets_present_flag flag is equal to 1. The total number of short-term reference picture sets may equal num_short_term_ref_pic_sets+1 if predicted_short_term_ref_pic_sets_present_flag flag is equal to 0.

In this configuration, an explicitly signaled short-term reference picture set in the slice header will always have an index equal to num_short_term_ref_pic_sets+num_predicted_short_term_ref_pic_sets_minus 1+1 in the list of short-term reference picture sets if predicted_short_term_ref_pic_sets_present_flag flag is equal to 1. Also, in this configuration, an explicitly signaled short-term reference picture set in the slice header will always have an index equal to num_short_term_ref_pic_sets+1 in the list of short-term reference picture sets if predicted_short_term_ref_pic_sets_present_flag flag is equal to 0.

rps_idx[idx] specifies the index of that full short-term reference picture set used to derive the predicted short-term reference picture set signaled with index idx. num_pics_in_rps_idx[idx] specifies the sum of the total number of negative pictures and total number of positive pictures included in the full short-term reference picture set in the picture parameter set with index rps_idx[idx]. In some configurations, num_pics_in_rps_idx[idx] does not need to be signaled in the predicted short-term reference picture set as it is already known from corresponding short-term reference picture set with index rps_idx[idx].

use_delta_flag[j] equal to 1 may specify that the j-th entry in the source candidate short-term RPS is included in the stRpsIdx-th candidate short-term RPS. In other words, use_delta_flag[j] equal to 1 may indicate that a corresponding picture associated with the use_delta_flag[j] in the candidate short-term RPS is included in the previously signaled RPS. use_delta_flag[j] equal to 0 may specify that the j-th entry in the source candidate short-term RPS is not included in the stRpsIdx-th candidate short-term RPS. In some configurations, when use_delta_flag[j] is not present, its value may be inferred to equal 1.

In some configurations, use_delta_flag[j] may indicate a keep picture flag, e.g., keep_pic_flag[j]. In other words, use_delta_flag[j] may be mapped to keep_pic_flag[j] and keep_pic_flag[j] may be used in place of and may be an example of use_delta_flag[j]. keep_pic_flag[j] equal to 1 may specify that the corresponding j-th short-term reference picture from the reference picture set (RPS) in the picture parameter set (PPS) with index short_term_ref_pic_set_idx should be kept. keep_pic_flag[j] equal to 0 may specify that the corresponding j-th short-term reference picture from the RPS in the PPS with index short_term_ref_pic_set_idx should be deleted (e.g., omitted).

In another approach, the previously signaled RPS may be signaled in the picture parameter set (PPS). Listing (17) below provides one example of syntax that may be used in the picture parameter set raw byte sequence payload (RBSP) signaling an inter reference picture. Modifications to the syntax in accordance with the systems and methods disclosed herein are denoted in bold.

Listing (17) pic_parameter_set_rbsp( ) { pic_parameter_set_id seq_parameter_set_id entropy_coding_mode_flag num _(—) short _(—) term _(—) ref _(—) pic _(—) sets for(idx = 0; idx < num_short_term_ref_pic_sets; idx++) short_term_ref_pic_set( idx ) predicted_short_term_ref_pic_sets_present_flag if(predicted _(—) short _(—) term _(—) ref _(—) pic _(—) sets _(—) present _(—) flag) { num _(—) predicted _(—) short _(—) term _(—) ref _(—) pic _(—) sets _(—) minus1 for(idx=0; idx<=num _(—) short _(—) term _(—) ref _(—) pic _(—) sets _(—) minus1; idx++){ rps _(—) idx[idx] for( j = 0; j < num _(—) pics _(—) in _(—) rps _(—) idx[idx]; j++ ) { use _(—) delta _(—) flag[j] } } long_term_ref_pics_present_flag num_temporal_layer_switching_point_flags for( i = 0; i < num_temporal_layer_switching_point_flags; i++ ) temporal_layer_switching_point_flag[ i ] num_ref_idx_l0_default_active_minus1 num_ref_idx_l1_default_active_minus1 pic_init_qp_minus26 /* relative to 26 */ constrained_intra_pred_flag slice_granularity shared_pps_info_enabled_flag if( shared_pps_info_enabled_flag ) if( adaptive_loop_filter_enabled_flag ) alf_param( ) if( cu_qp_delta_enabled_flag ) max_cu_qp_delta_depth rbsp_trailing_bits( ) }

FIG. 18 is a flow diagram illustrating another configuration of a method 1800 for signaling a reference picture set on an electronic device 302. The electronic device 302 may signal 1802 one or more full reference picture sets (RPS). The RPSs may be sent in connection with a previously decoded picture.

The electronic device 302 may determine 1804 if any predicted RPSs are to be signaled. If there are no predicted RPSs to be signaled, then the electronic device 302 may signal 1806 no predicted RPSs. For example, the electronic device 302 may signal 1806 predicted_short_term_ref_pic_sets_present_flag equal to “0.”

If there is one or more predicted RPSs to be signaled, then the electronic device 302 may signal 1808 the one or more predicted RPSs. For example, the electronic device 302 may signal 1808 a predicted_short_term_ref_pic_sets_present_flag equal to “1.”

The electronic device 302 may send 1810 the number of predicted RPSs. For example, the electronic device 302 may send 1810 num_predicted_short_term_ref_pic_sets_minus1.

For each predicted RPS that is signaled, the electronic device 302 may send 1812 a reference to a previously signaled full RPS. For example, the electronic device 302 may send 1812 rps_idx[idx].

For each reference picture in the previously signaled RPS, the electronic device 302 may signal 1814 if the reference picture is to be used as a reference picture for a current picture. For example, the electronic device 302 may set a flag, such as a keep picture flag (e.g., use_delta_flag or keep_pic_flag), that indicates if the reference picture is to be used as a reference picture for a current picture.

The electronic device 302 may exclude, avoid or not send 1816 a used by current picture flag for the current RPS. In other words, a used by current picture flag or flag value for the current RPS may not be indicated, signaled or encoded by the electronic device 302. The used by current picture flag value for the current RPS may be predicted and/or determined by an electronic device, such as a decoder 712.

In yet another approach, the previously signaled RPS may be signaled in the short-term reference picture set. Listing (18) and Listing (19) below provide two similar examples of syntax that may be used in the short-term reference picture set for signaling a reference picture set. Modifications to the syntax in accordance with the systems and methods disclosed herein are denoted in bold.

Listing (18) short_term_ref_pic_set( idx ) { inter_ref_pic_set_prediction_flag if( inter_ref_pic_set_prediction_flag ) { rps _(—) idx[idx] for( j = 0; j < num _(—) pics _(—) in _(—) rps _(—) idx[idx]; j++ ) { keep _(—) pic _(—) flag[j] } } else { num_negative_pics num_positive_pic s for( i = 0; i < num_negative_pics; i++ ) { delta_poc_s0_minus1[ i ] used_by_curr_pic_s0_flag[ i ] } for( i = 0; i < num_positive_pics; i++ ) { delta_poc_s1_minus1[ i ] used_by_curr_pic_s1_flag[ i ] } } }

In Listing (18), keep_pic_flag[j] may be sent by coding it as u(1). In other words, keep_pic_flag[j] may be coded and signaled as a 1 bit flag. In some configurations, use_delta_flag[j] may replace keep_pic_flag[j] in the syntax shown above. In this case, use_delta_flag[j] may also be coded and sent as a 1 bit flag (i.e., coded as a u(1)).

Listing (19) short_term_ref_pic_set( stRpsIdx ) { if( stRpsIdx != 0 ) inter_ref_pic_set_prediction_flag if( inter_ref_pic_set_prediction_flag ) { if( stRpsIdx = = num_short_term_ref_pic_sets ) delta_idx_minus1 delta_rps_sign abs_delta_rps_minus1 for( j = 0; j <= NumDeltaPocs[ RefRpsIdx ]; j++ ) { used_by_curr_pic_flag[ j ] if( !used_by_curr_pic_flag[ j ] ) use_delta_flag [j] } } else { num_negative_pics num_positive_pics for( i = 0; i < num_negative_pics; i++ ) { delta_poc_s0_minus1[ i ] used_by_curr_pic_s0_flag[ i ] } for( i = 0; i < num_positive_pics; i++ ) { delta_poc_s1_minus1[ i ] used_by_curr_pic_s1_flag[ i ] } } }

stRpsIdx may refer to a short term RPS index. The variable StRpsIdx is derived as shown in Listing (12), above. In some configurations, stRpsIdx may be one example of idx (i.e., index) as used in Listing (18).

delta_idx_minus1 plus 1 may specify the difference between the value of stRpsIdx and the index, into the list of the candidate short-term RPSs specified in the SPS, of the source candidate short-term RPS. The value of delta_idx_minus1 may range from 0 to stRpsIdx−1, inclusive. When delta_idx_minus1 is not present, it may be inferred to be equal to 0.

delta_rps_sign and abs_delta_rps_minus1 together specify the value of the variable deltaRps as deltaRps=(1−2*delta_rps_sign)*(abs_delta_rps_minus1+1). The value of abs_delta_rps_minus1 may range from 0 to 2¹⁵−1, inclusive. RefRpsIdx may equal stRpsIdx−(delta_idx_minus1+1). The variable deltaRps represents the value to be added to the picture order count difference values of the source candidate short-term RPS to obtain the picture order count difference values of the stRpsIdx-th candidate short-term RPS. The value of abs_delta_rps_minus1 shall be in the range of 0 to 2₁₅−1, inclusive.

While Listing (18) and Listing (19) provide two examples of how the previously signaled RPS may be signaled in the short-term reference picture set, it should be appreciated that corresponding syntax elements between Listing (18) and Listing (19) may be interoperable. For example, in some configurations, use_delta_flag[j] may be interoperable with keep_pic_flag[j]. Further, as discussed above, stRpsIdx and idx may both indicate a short term RPS index. As another example, in some configurations, rps_idx[ ] may correspond to both delta_rps_sign and abs_delta_rps_minus1. In other words, rps_idx[idx] as shown in Listing (18) may be associated with syntax elements delta_rps_sign and abs_delta_rps_minus1 shown in Listing (19). These syntax elements may be interoperable because both rps_idx[idx] along with delta_rps_sign and abs_delta_rps_minus1 facilitate a move from one syntax element to the next.

In still yet other approaches, the previously signaled RPS may be signaled in the adaptation parameter set (APS), video parameter set (VPS), slice header, etc. Further, the previously signaled RPS may be signaled by using another element in the bitstream.

FIG. 19 is a flow diagram illustrating a more specific configuration of a method 1900 for signaling a reference picture set on an electronic device 302. The electronic device 302 may indicate 1902 a previously signaled reference picture set (RPS) corresponding to a current picture using a predicted short-term reference picture set present flag. For example, the current picture using a predicted short-term reference picture set present flag may be a Boolean value that indicates whether a previously signaled RPS is being signaled for use in decoding a current picture. In some configurations, the electronic device 302 may be an encoder 304. The encoder 304 may be an HEVC type encoder 304.

The current picture may belong to the first GOP after a random access point and/or a delete operation on a previous signaled RPS. In either case, signaling a previously signaled RPS may provide increased efficiency over currently known approaches.

The previously signaled RPS may correspond to an index. For example, the previously signaled RPS is signaled as an index indicating a set of previously signaled set of RPSs. Additionally, the index may be an RPS index, such as rps_idx[idx]. The index may indicate the previously signaled RPS that will be used for predicting the RPS to be used for decoding the current picture.

The electronic device 302 may indicate 1904 a used by current picture flag value of a second reference picture in the previously signaled RPS. The used by current picture flag value of the second reference picture may be a value corresponding to the current picture. In other words, in indicating 1902 the previously signaled RPS, the electronic device 302 may indicate one or more corresponding values of other reference pictures in the previously signaled RPS. The one or more corresponding values of the other reference pictures in the previously signaled RPS may be used by current picture flag values for the other reference pictures in the previously signaled RPS. The corresponding values may be indicated 1904 by the electronic device 302 and encoded by an encoder 304.

The electronic device 302 may set 1906 a keep picture flag (e.g., keep_pic_flag[ ] or use_delta_flag[ ]) for a picture in the previously signaled RPS if the picture is to be used as a reference picture for the current picture. In one configuration, the keep picture flag may represent a bit field in the index corresponding to the previously signaled RPS. For example, each reference picture in the RPS corresponding to the index rps_idx[idx] or stRpsIdx may signal a keep picture flag that indicates whether to keep or discard the corresponding reference picture or corresponding reference picture value from the previously signaled RPS.

The electronic device 302 may exclude 1908 a used by current picture flag for the current RPS. In other words, a used by current picture flag or flag value for the current RPS may not be indicated, signaled or encoded by the electronic device 302 (e.g., encoder 304). The used by current picture flag value for the current RPS may be predicted and/or determined by an electronic device, such as a decoder 712, based on the used by current picture flag values of one or more other pictures in the previously signaled RPS.

The electronic device 302 may send 1910 a bitstream. The bitstream may include the previously signaled RPS with the predicted short-term reference picture set present flag set to positive. The bitstream also may include multiple sets used by the current picture flag corresponding to one or more reference pictures used to decode the current picture.

FIG. 20 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of a method 2000 for predicting a reference picture set on an electronic device 302. In some known implementations, such as that given in HEVC Draft 6, an inter RPS prediction is supported. However, this approach is more complex and less efficient than the approaches described herein.

In another known implementation, such as JCTVC-I0347, syntax for inter RPS prediction is provided. This syntax modifies HEVC draft 6 syntax by merging delta_rps_sign and abs_delta_rps_minus1 into one syntax element.

In yet another known implementation, such as JCT-G198, an inter reference picture set prediction is proposed. The main use case in this implementation is reducing the number of bits to signal a new RPS by encoding it with respect to a previously signaled RPS. In this implementation, the signaling scheme sends a constant deltaRps value. Additional fields can be sent to signal if a POC from previous RPSshould be skipped (e.g., should not be used).

In one configuration, an electronic device 302 obtains 2002 a bitsream. The electronic device 302 may obtain 2004 a current picture. For example, the current picture may be obtained from the bitstream.

The electronic device 302 may obtain 2006 a previously signaled reference picture set (RPS). The previously signaled RPS may already be present on the electronic device 302. In this case, the bitstream may have sent a signal for the current picture indicating the use of a previously signaled RPS.

In some configurations, the previously signaled RPS may be sent by an encoder 304 and received in the bitsream. For example, the bitstream may include a first flag that indicates that a previously signaled RPS is being used to decode the current picture.

The previously signaled RPS may include one or more pictures used to decode previous pictures. The previously signaled RPS may correspond to an index. For example, the previously signaled RPS is signaled as an index indicating a set of previously signaled set of RPSs. The index may indicate corresponding reference pictures and/or values used in decoding the current picture.

For each picture in the previously signaled RPS, the electronic device 302 may obtain 2008 a first flag indication if the picture should be used as a reference picture for the current picture. For example, the first flag may represent a Boolean value and may be set to “1” if the picture is to be used as a reference picture for the current picture. Alternatively, it may be appreciated that in another configuration, the first flag may be set to “0” to indicate that the picture is to be used as a reference picture for the current picture.

The first flag may be set to positive if a picture in the previously signaled RPS is to be used as a reference picture for the current picture. If the picture is not to be used as a reference picture for the current picture, the flag may not be positive (i.e., set to not positive). It should be appreciated that, in some configurations, a negative value may be used when setting the first flag. In the case of multiple pictures in the previously signaled RPS that are to be used as reference pictures for the current picture, each picture may have a corresponding first flag.

If the first flag is positive, the electronic device 302 may determine 2010 a second flag from one corresponding value of the previously signaled RPS. In other words, if a picture in the previously signaled RPS is used as a reference picture for the current picture, the electronic device 302 may infer a second flag value for the current picture being decoded. The second flag value may be inferred, predicted or determined from second flag values of other reference pictures in the previously signaled RPS. The second flag may be a used by current picture flag.

The electronic device 302 may decode 2012 the current picture. This may be performed, for example, on a decoder 712. The decoder 712 may be an HEVC type decoder 712. The electronic device 302 may use the inferred second flag value in decoding the current picture.

FIG. 21 is a flow diagram illustrating another configuration of a method 2100 for predicting a reference picture set on an electronic device 302. The electronic device 302 may obtain 2102 a signal for one or more previously received full reference picture sets (RPS). For example, the signal may indicate previously received RPSs used to decode a previous picture.

The electronic device 302 may determine 2104 if there are any predicted RPSs signaled. If there are no signaled predicted RPSs, then the electronic device 302 may obtain 2106 a signal indicating no predicted RPSs. For example, the electronic device 302 may obtain 2106 a signal, such as predicted_short_term_ref_pic_sets_present_flag equals “0.”

If there is one or more signaled predicted RPSs, then the electronic device 302 may obtain 2108 a signal indicating one or more predicted RPSs. For example, the electronic device 302 may obtain 2108 a signal, such as predicted_short_term_ref_pic_sets_present_flag equals “1.”

The electronic device 302 may obtain 2110 the number of predicted RPSs. For example, the electronic device 302 may obtain 2110 num_predicted_short_term_ref_pic_sets_minus1.

For each predicted RPS that is signaled, the electronic device 302 may obtain 2112 reference to a previously signaled full RPS. For example, the electronic device 302 may obtain 2112 rps_idx[idx].

For each reference picture in the previously signaled RPS, the electronic device 302 may obtain 2114 a signal if the reference picture is to be used as a reference picture for a current picture. For example, the electronic device 302 may obtain a flag, such as a keep picture flag (e.g., use_delta_flag or keep_pic_flag), that indicates if the reference picture is to be used as a reference picture for a current picture.

The electronic device 302 may determine 2116 a used by current picture flag value for a current picture from the value of a corresponding reference picture in the previously signaled RPS. The electronic device 302 may determine 2116 the used by current picture flag value for the current picture by inferring or predicting the used by current picture flag value based on one or more corresponding (e.g., used by current picture flag) values of the one or more reference pictures signaled in the previously RPS.

The electronic device 302 may decode 2118 the current picture based on the used by current picture flag value. The used by current picture flag values may include the used by current picture flag value of the current picture.

FIG. 22 is a flow diagram illustrating a more specific configuration of a method 2200 for predicting a reference picture set on an electronic device 302. The electronic device 302 may obtain 2202 a bitstream and obtain 2204 a current picture. For example, the current picture may be obtained from the bitstream.

The electronic device 302 may obtain 2206 a previously signaled reference picture set (RPS) based on a predicted short-term reference pictures present flag. In this manner, an RPS that has been previously signaled and is present on the electronic device 302, along with previously decoded reference pictures, may be used and/or reused to decode a current picture.

A predicted short-term reference pictures present flag may signal the presence of previously signaled RPS. For example, if the predicted short-term reference pictures present flag is set, then it may signal to the electronic device 302 a previously signaled RPS. In some configurations, the presence of the predicted short-term reference pictures present flag may signal to the electronic device 302 a previously signaled RPS.

The RPS may be sent separately from actual current or previous pictures. The RPS may be sent as part of the sequence parameter set (SPS), a picture parameter set (PPS), another parameter set and/or the slice header.

For each reference picture in the previously signaled RPS, the electronic device 302 may obtain 2208 a keep picture flag (e.g., use_delta_flag or keep_pic_flag) indication if the picture should be used as a reference picture for the current picture. The keep picture flag indicates whether a picture in the previously signaled RPS is to be used as a reference picture in decoding the current picture.

The electronic device 302 may obtain 2210 a corresponding value from the previously signaled RPS based on the keep picture flag (e.g., use_delta_flag or keep_pic_flag). For example, if the keep picture flag indicates that a picture in the previously signaled RPS is to be used as a reference picture for the current picture, the electronic device 302 may obtain a corresponding value, such as a used by current picture flag value, from the previously signaled RPS corresponding to the picture. In some configurations, the used by current picture flag value for one or more reference pictures in the previously signaled RPS may be sent to the electronic device 302 by an encoder 304.

The electronic device 302 may determine 2212 a used by current picture flag value for the current picture from the corresponding value of a second reference picture in the previously signaled RPS. The electronic device 302 may determine the used by current picture flag value for the current picture by inferring or predicting the used by current picture flag value based on one or more corresponding (e.g., used by current picture flag) values of the one or more reference pictures in the previously signaled RPS.

The electronic device 302 may decode 2214 the current picture based on the used by current picture flag values. The used by current picture flag values may include the used by current picture flag value of the current picture as well as the used by current picture flag values of corresponding reference pictures in the signaled RPS.

The term “computer-readable medium” refers to any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a processor. The term “computer-readable medium,” as used herein, may denote a computer- and/or processor-readable medium that is non-transitory and tangible. By way of example, and not limitation, a computer-readable or processor-readable medium may comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer or processor. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray® disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.

It should be noted that one or more of the methods described herein may be implemented in and/or performed using hardware. For example, one or more of the methods or approaches described herein may be implemented in and/or realized using a chipset, an ASIC, a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI) or integrated circuit, etc.

Each of the methods disclosed herein comprises one or more steps or actions for achieving the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another and/or combined into a single step without departing from the scope of the claims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the method that is being described, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified without departing from the scope of the claims.

It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the precise configuration and components illustrated above. Various modifications, changes and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the systems, methods, and apparatus described herein without departing from the scope of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for signaling a reference picture set on an electronic device, comprising: indicating a previously signaled reference picture set (RPS) corresponding to a current picture; setting a first flag for a picture in the previously signaled RPS if the picture is a reference picture for the current picture; and sending a bitstream.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising not sending a used by current picture flag for a current RPS.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the previously signaled RPS is signaled as an index indicating a set of previously signaled RPSs.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the previously signaled RPS comprises a corresponding value of another reference picture in the previously signaled RPS.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the corresponding value is a used by current picture flag value of a second reference picture in the previously signaled RPS.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the previously signaled RPS is indicated by a predicted short-term reference picture set present flag.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first flag is a keep picture flag.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the keep picture flag is one of use_delta_flag[ ] and keep_pic_flag[ ].
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first flag indicates that a corresponding picture associated with the first flag in a candidate short-term RPS is included in the previously signaled RPS.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the current picture is in a first group of pictures (GOP) after a random access point.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the previously signaled RPS is signaled via a delete operation.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the previously signaled RPS is sent in one of a picture parameter set (PPS), a sequence parameter set (SPS), an adaptation parameter set (APS), a video parameter set (VPS) and a slice header (SH).
 13. An electronic device for signaling a reference picture set, comprising: a processor; memory in electronic communication with the processor, wherein instructions stored in the memory are executable to: indicate a previously signaled reference picture set (RPS) corresponding to a current picture; set a first flag for a picture in the previously signaled RPS if the picture is a reference picture for the current picture; and send a bitstream.
 14. The electronic device of claim 13, further comprising instructions being executable to not send a used by current picture flag for a current RPS.
 15. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the first flag is a keep picture flag.
 16. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the keep picture flag is one of use_delta_flag [ ] and keep_pic_flag [ ].
 17. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the first flag indicates that a corresponding picture associated with the first flag in a candidate short-term RPS is included in the previously signaled RPS.
 18. A method for decoding a reference picture set on an electronic device, comprising: obtaining a bitstream; obtaining a current picture; obtaining a previously signaled reference picture set (RPS); for a picture in the previously signaled RPS, obtaining a first flag indication if the picture is a reference picture for the current picture; if the first flag is positive, determining a second flag from a corresponding value of the previously signaled RPS; and decoding the current picture.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein decoding the current picture is based on the second flag.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the first flag is a keep picture flag.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the keep picture flag is one of use_delta_flag[ ] and keep_pic_flag[ ].
 22. The method of claim 18, wherein the first flag indicates that a corresponding picture associated with the first flag in a candidate short-term RPS is included in the previously signaled RPS.
 23. The method of claim 18, wherein the second flag is a used by current picture flag.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the electronic device does not receive a used by current picture flag for a current RPS.
 25. The method of claim 18, wherein the corresponding value is obtained from the previously signaled RPS.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the corresponding value is a used by current picture flag value of a second reference picture in the previously signaled RPS.
 27. The method of claim 25, wherein the corresponding value is a Boolean value.
 28. The method of claim 18, wherein the current picture is in a first group of pictures (GOP) after a random access point.
 29. The method of claim 18, wherein the previously signaled RPS is signaled via a delete operation.
 30. The method of claim 18, wherein the previously signaled RPS is obtained from one of a picture parameter set (PPS), a sequence parameter set (SPS), an adaptation parameter set (APS), a video parameter set (VPS) and a slice header (SH).
 31. An electronic device for decoding a reference picture set, comprising: a processor; memory in electronic communication with the processor, wherein instructions stored in the memory are executable to: obtain a bitstream; obtain a current picture; obtain a previously signaled reference picture set (RPS); for a picture in the previously signaled RPS, obtain a first flag indication if the picture is a reference picture for the current picture; if the first flag is positive, determine a second flag from a corresponding value of the previously signaled RPS; and decode the current picture.
 32. The electronic device of claim 31, wherein the first flag is a keep picture flag.
 33. The electronic device of claim 32, wherein the keep picture flag is one of use_delta_flag[ ] and keep_pic_flag[ ].
 34. The electronic device of claim 31, wherein the first flag indicates that a corresponding picture associated with the first flag in a candidate short-term RPS is included in the previously signaled RPS. 